Sun smiles as walkers hit the old road for MS

WHEN MS South Kerry Branch were forced to cancel their annual ‘busking event’ at Market Cross last month due to poor weather they couldn’t have foreseen that compensation would come in the shape of a day borrowed from summer, which is precisely what happened on Sunday as a massive 250 people gathered for the ‘Old Kenmare Road Walk’.

From early morning the walkers were bused - thanks to O’Callaghan’s Coaches - to just outside Kenmare, at Gowlane Cross, from where hordes of happy walkers traversed the 18km trek to Torc Waterfall, via the Windy Gap, Ullans Woods, Esknamucky Glen and the enchanting pre-famine village at Crinnagh Glen.

Walkers were treated to some of the most breath taking scenery the county has to offer and as they trickled back to where they started the Gleneagle Hotel came to the rescue, laying on a well-deserved spread of soup, sandwiches and refreshments for the hungry ramblers.

“It was a perfect day for the 250 or so walkers who turned out and it was an important event for MS South Kerry as they had to cancel their fundraising event last month,” said John O’Shea.

The walk is now in its 14th year and the total figure raised will be revealed closer to Christmas. John was also full of praise for O’Callaghan’s Coaches and the Gleneagle Hotel, who help make the day run smoothly.

“They are great to us and really help make the day possible. We’re very grateful for the welcome the Gleneagle give us. It’s a great starting point and they help replenish walkers on their return. O’Callaghan’s Coaches and their drivers are also important as they ferry walkers to and from the event,” said John.

“However, next year’s walk may well need to have a set registration cut-off point as the coaches can only carry so many in the time allocated. Lots of people turned up on the day and this puts pressure on the coach service.

“But it was a stunning day and it was well received by everyone,” added John.

Above: Eileen Doody, Tara O’Donoghue, Mary O’Connor and Linda Pigott participating in the Annual Kerry MS Old Kenmare Road Walk on Sunday.

Right: Bernie Cashman and Mary Browne participating in the walk.

Photos: Michelle Cooper Galvin Left: Seamus O’Sullivan, Bishop Ray Browne, Ann Marie O’Leary, Sinead O’Riordan and Roisin McGrath participating in the Annual Kerry MS Old Kenmare Road Walk on Sunday. Ryan, Mel, Meath, David, Emma and Niamh Crowley, Andrea Birsan (back from left)...