A three day walk took place on the Kerry Way in July for the Cork Cancer Research Centre, with over 250 walkers participating from counties around Ireland, as well as from Antrim and the UK. To date nearly EU100k has been raised through the fantastic efforts of these walkers!
Daithi O Se officially opened the event in Caherdaniel on Friday, 25th July and entertained the walkers as they set off on their 3-day challenge. Marty Dowds and Maria Buffini from Riverdance, who were performing in Killarney with Riverdance at the time, came out to welcome the walkers into Killarney on Sunday, 27th July for their final leg of the journey. A spokesperson from the Riverdance production commented, “We are delighted to support Cork Cancer Research Centre and its fundraising efforts to raise vital funds for cancer research.”
The Kerry Way Walk in aid of the Cork Cancer Research Centre took place from Friday, 25th July to Sunday, 27th July where over 250 people trekked from Caherdaniel to Sneem to Kenmare to Killarney. Spectacular mountain landscapes, dramatic peaks and glens, wild moorlands, wooded paths, lakes and wide coastal panoramas awaited those who trekked the 71km route along the Kerry Way.
Many of the walkers had never walked on the Kerry Way or any other Waymarked Way before, but took to the challenge confidently. The passion and enthusiasm in the walkers, many directly affected by cancer, was very evident and many travelled great distances to take part. Many walkers, despite some blistered feet, were delighted with their physical participation in the event for such a worthy cause. However, the camaraderie and friendships that were struck up during the event made the 3-day event one to be remembered and repeated in future years.
Walkers had the option to walk all, or part, of the 3-day walk and many upheld the challenge and walked for 3 days. On Friday, the 18km route from Caherdaniel, brought people through the mountains, bogland and woodland to the picturesque village of Sneem. On Saturday, the 28km route, long but mostly flat brought people to Kenmare crossing the road at the Blackwater Bridge and Pat Spillanes before finishing up in Kenmare later that day. After the first few kilometers of the 25km route were conquered on Sunday, the rest of the journey was an easier trek through mountain gaps, across streams, walking above and beside Torc Waterfall and finally through the National Park and out onto Killarney’s Muckross Road where family, friends and supporters awaited.
CCRC has received tremendous support for this event to date and would like to thank once again all the walkers and the organising committee for all their efforts to date, as well as a special thanks to the event supporters Fyffes, Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain, Lucozade Sport, RiverRock and Southern Fruit.
