My last sojourn took us to the GiantsCausewayand strip along the North Antrim Coast down to Belfast. The scenery was to behold, we had great walks, theGiants Causeway is undoubtedly a must and the whole Antrim Coast isafeast for walkers and the welcome we received will certainly bring us back. Belfast is a must do or all and trying to explain the complexities to Jessie,our daughter lent to question after question and led me to a lot of self questioning. This whole session was alleviated by the self vaunted black humor from our guides- they were funny. Overall Belfast was so welcoming but alas our visit was so short.

We headed back to Dundalk, our home town and Twinkle, our Aunt as always the kindest host. We had anappointmentto meet Dick inTipperary,a wonderful friend and again it was family business, with a tour of our old homesteads, it was certainly a walk inthe past but the memories evoked are so precious.

To end a wonderful day, caught up with Margot and Austin in Kilcash, friends in Sydney and again Margot's Dad, Bill who taught me so many valuable lessons and achieved so much success in Australia, Kilcash remained his home. Again immersed in our past and the poem Cill Cais




It was a return to Midlands and Birr to farewell Johnnny and Mary and how ironic we pass within reach of the Devils Bit but the weather again wasn't the kindest but the catchcry for OSullivan Beare as he progressed north was "Keep right of the Devil's Bit, and naturally memories of the fun we had a few weeks previous with Mattie Ryan came flooding back.
Saturday morning gave us an opportunity to walk in the Slieve Bloomsand a call into Kinnitty Castle.



E

Shin a Bhfuil....

"The Route"

With the support of all our family and in a sense I was carried along with their enthusiasm and encouragement. Words of kindness along the way and through the email further shortened the trip and the leaders up and down the way inspired me with their "love of country"

There are many more to thank and I will do this individually. The walk is over but not the memories and the kindness I received from everyone is something I will always treasure. We may not be rich "in gold" but we are in generosity and I feel so blessed to have experienced it.As the walk progressed it became more clear to me the huge amount of effort that went into plotting out the Beara Breifne Way. It also came to light from all stakeholders that the man mainly responsible and highly respected throughout, for this incredible Walkway is Jim O Sullivan from Castletownbere. He has proved a wonderful friend and mentor to us all, our thanks. May his dream come true of an off-road walkway from Dursey to the Antrim Coast sooner rather than later, his efforts deserve it.To finish I sayPaddy and Carla, Jean and Jimmy, John and Mary and Ger and Mary and Mary and Twinkle- "I could never have done it without you all, a huge "Mile Maith Agaibh". To Dof and Jessie at home I know you walked each step of the way with me, my love and see you soon.PS Whilst this is final entry, I promise I will do an edit and make necessary corrections. I have also got pics from small camera to add when I learn how to get PC talk to IPad.

11.45pm. 17th June 2012

An La Deireanach

30 Kilometers remained as we set out from the kindness of Ivan's and Veronica's Lough Gara Lodge for our final halting spot.
The Chief O Sullivan had led us out from Dunboy Castle fifteen days previous and it was fitting that an O Rourke should lead us into Leitrim- talk about being surrounded with nobility!! Peter O Rourke plotted our course along the historic way and on our way passed the home place of Douglas De Hide ( cead Uachtarah na hEireann) and Turlough O Carolan. Even though separated by centuries both made a huge contribution to our heritage. Our walk took us along side Kilronan Castle and the Foxgloves put on a tremendous show along the way greeting us more or less from every hedgerow. Late in the afternoon we once again crossed the Shannon and Leitrim was within our sights. Whilst the Foxgloves were a constant reminder of the beauty of the area nothing could beat the welcome we received at Leitrim. I bet even Donal Cam O Sullivan himself would of been proud of it. All I can say "the people of Leitrim have never lost it and the welcome we received would make any heart glad"
The journey's end could not of ended on a higher note and our deepest graitute for the warmth and welcome received. Pat, Michael, Cherrise and Josh from Killure, Dick from SouthTipp, Johnny from Birr and all the people from Leitrim "go raibh mile Maith agaibh" for making its such a special occasion.

The Curlews and the Bricklieve Mountains

It was a sense of "déjà vous" today reliving the weather of Day 1 and the incredible scenery of Day 2. We had incessant rain but that failed to dampen the spirits and the walk through the Curlews and then the rather steep incline up the Bricklieves and then descending into a glaciated valley was so beautiful. You will have to capture this scenes yourselves as it is too difficult to give it justice in words and the weather wouldn't allow for much camera usage.
Our leader was Phillip, chairperson of local walking club and Carla and Paddy made up our group. Our host for past couple of nights,Veronica and Ivan at Lough Gara Lodge have been wonderful in looking after all our needs.
It proved to be one of the tougher days at the office, all up some thirty something kilometers, with a variety of terrain and "dampish"!! conditions but as I heard Paddy remark "It was exillerating"

From Ballygar to Ballinlough and on to Monasteraden

Jimmy was my guide and mentor along the Suck Way assisted by his daughter Bridget. it was a wonderful day and Mount Mary and Glinsk were our focus. Mount Mary was a resting place for OSullivan Beare and despite their hopes Glinsk did not provide them with food supplies and again encountered opposition. Jimmy's warmth, sharing of information and hospitality of both himself and his wife Mary made it a very special day and we reached Ballinlough at 6.30pm to be greeted by public representatives of the local community.

Thursday morning and both Andy and Dave were on hand to see me through it and very much like Felim OFlynn to OSullivan Bere welcomed me to their clan land. We had a fantastic day and with the assistance of Comhairleoir Seamus de Cogan we followed the original route and bypassing Ballaghaderreen. We had a great day and Lin and Dave were so generous in their time and care and my sincere thanks to all the people of Galway, Roscommon and Sligo for their hospitality and my apologies for getting Roscommon mixed up with Galway