July 2026: Stages
142-146: Co. Cork: Kinsale to Midleton
So warm in
Cork this week. It is officially a heatwave all week, as it has been 25 degrees
(and more) for the nine days we were there. As usual Maureen, Brian and I drove
down on the Thursday. I think it was a wise decision of mine to break up the
Carrigaline to Kinsale section into two stages, even if it did mean running on
the Thursday evening. See below for full story.
Stage 142: Co. Cork: Roberts Cove to Kinsale: Thursday
9 July 2026: 35.1km or 21.8miles
‘I am Jim, a man of the sea. One day, as I sat on yonder
quay I saw a girl, as pretty as can be, while
mending my nets in Kinsale’ Pat
Lynch
Those lines from ‘Kinsale’
have been going through my head as run along the country lanes towards the town.
It’s a song from 1968 which almost represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song
Contest that year. It was just beaten by Barry McGuigan’s father, Pat who sang
‘Chance of a Lifetime’, which went on to finish fourth in the final.
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| Starting this weeks adventure at Robert's Cove, Co. Cork |
We travelled all the way from Co. Down
so its 5.12pm before I start running. First, we had to find Robert’s Cove. It is called after Sir Thomas Roberts,
who must had hit bad times later because in 1851 he had become ‘an
insolvent debtor’
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| Following coastal trail at Roberts Cove |
Maureen and Brian drop me off there and
I follow a beautiful coastal path up a grassy hill, through a corn field and
eventually to a Lookout Station. This was one of many structures that were built in
the early 1800’s in the event of a French invasion - which never happened. From
the Lookout I followed the coast and was beginning to field confident I could
make it all the way to Rocky Bay Beach.
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| Lookout at Roberts Cove |
However, the terrain got tougher, the
path disappeared and there was lots of gorse and thorn bushes. Even though I
could see the white strand in the distance, I just knew it wasn’t worth it – so
I turned back. At least it was all downhill back to Roberts Cove, and I was
able to take the country lane to Rocky Bay Beach.
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| View of Rocky Bay Beach from coastal path |
Delighted that Maureen and Brian were
still there when I arrived. Brian had been in for swim at Rocky Bay and even
though it’s after 6.00pm it is still a warm evening. I even go for a paddle myself.
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| With Brian at Rocky Bay Beach, Co. Cork |
Afterwards I’m able to loop back up the hill and continue onto ‘Nohoval Cove’. The name nohoval or
‘nuachbhail’ translates as ‘new habitation’ probably because the area was also home to a slate mine. I
feared though that this was going to be a long run down to another cove that I
would have to backtrack up again. I was curious though to visit as Nohoval was
mentioned as ‘10
places you must visit in Co Cork’. Such a strange but unique place,
completely surrounded by rocky cliffs, nooks and alcoves. I’m not surprised at
all that in January
1838 the ship, ‘PSS Killarney’ sunk off this rocky shore. The
ship was on its way from Cork to Bristol but blown back against rocks. It was
carrying 100 pigs on board and despite that animal cargo being dumped, it still
sank.
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| Nohoval Cove - 10 places you must visit in Co. Cork |
I thought there might have been a path or trail on the coast that would have brought me further west along the coast.
There wasn’t. Yes, I had to walk/run back up the hill again. Shortly I passed through
the village of Nohoval, and I was able to take a left turn that led to Oysterhaven Strand. It’s now 8.30pm but children are still
swimming in the sea. |
 |
| Oysterhaven Beach, near Kinsale |
It’s hard to imagine thousands of
British soldiers arriving here on the beach at Oysterhaven but yes on 2 October
1601 a small army did come here and probably took the same route to Kinsale
that I’m taking now. They were here to fight in ‘The Battle of Kinsale’ later
in the year. See below.
I leave the beach, follow a coastal
road and cross over Ballinaclashet Creek onto the L3215. Crossing the River Stick, I follow the Eastern Road (R600) which
eventually leads to Kinsale.
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| Very happy to see this sign |
Stage 142 Revisit: Ballymacus Peninsula (SE of
Kinsale): Tuesday 14 July 2026: 16.2km or 10.1miles
I’m not sure if this peninsula is actually
called Ballymacus, but it is situated just outside of Kinsale on the east side
of the town. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time on Thursday night to
cover this section, as I would have ended up running in the dark. So, I’m back
to complete it today. Maureen drops me off along the Eastern Road at a
crossroads, just outside Kinsale, called ‘Cove Crossroads’. That
name makes sense as the road I’m running on leads to three
different inlets, Lower Cove, Middle Cove and Summer Cove. I follow the country
lane as it zigzags all the way down as far as Lower Cove.
This area has a history of skilled
seamen and fishermen and two famous brothers, Timothy and Mortimer McCarthy
were born in Lower Cove. They are honoured with commissioned head busts in Kinsale,
and both brothers had been on Antarctic expeditions. The younger, Timothy was,
not only a member of Shackleton’s Expedition on the ‘Endurance’, but
he was also chosen as one of the six men who took an 800-mile boat journey from
Elephant Island to South Georgia to try to get help for the 28 men crew. The
Kerryman, Tom Crean was also one of the six men, so half of them on the boat
(including Shackleton) were Irish born. When they finally reached South Georgia,
McCarthy stayed with two men (McNeish & Vincent) on one side of the island
while Shackleton, Crean and Worsley crossed a mountainous terrain to reach a
whaling station on the other side at Stromness.
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| The McCarthy brothers from Lower Cove (Head busts in Kinsale) |
In his book Shackleton refers to the
Cork man ‘’McCarthy, the best and most efficient of the sailors. The two
men (McNeish & Vincent on South Georgia) were not capable of managing for
themselves and McCarthy must stay to look after them’’
All six men returned to Elephant Island
to rescue the remaining 22 crew members. Only three weeks after returning, McCarthy
enlisted as a seaman in the Royal Navy in WW1. Tragically he was killed when
his ship was torpedoed off the south coast of Ireland, probably not too far from
where he was born in Lower Cove. He was the first of the 28 crew of the
Endurance to die.
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| Laura in Lower Cove, who pointed me in the right direction |
Back in 2026 on Lower Cove, I get chatting to Laura who is here with her
children at the beach. I really hoped that there was a coastal trail because it was a long downhill
run to get here and I don’t fancy climbing up that way again! Laura assures me
that there is a way to stay by the shore. To reach the coastal trail I almost have
to go into someone’s garden, but I quickly find it.
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| Coastal path from Lower Cove to Summer Cove |
What a beautiful path. It brings
me up to Middle Cove, then Summer Cove and finally to the impressive Charles
Fort. The fort was built in 1682 but just eight years later in 1690 it was
attacked by William of Orange who broke through the Jacobite Garrison after a
thirteen-day siege.
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| Charles Fort, near KInsale |
I carry on along the coast, taking the ‘Scilly
Walk’ which is such a scenic way to enter Kinsale. I am feeling the heat,
and my main priority is to get some water. I’m like a car needing fuel so I
fill up again at a shop and run along the river in the town, heading SW.
It’s
quite windy crossing the bridge but it’s a warm breeze. On the other side of
the river, I run all the way down to James Fort and do a loop around the
headland.
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| Near the bridge over Kinsale |
This smaller fort was built on the original
site of what was called ‘Castle Ny Parke’ and held by the Spanish
before the ‘Battle of Kinsale’ in 1601. The Spanish and Irish
lost the famous battle against the British. Losing Kinsale became a turning
point for the Irish way of life. The Gaelic aristocracy fled to continental
Europe, known as ‘The Flight of the Earls’. Their intention was
to raise an army in Europe and return to Ireland, but this never happened.
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| Brian & Maureen at James Fort |
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| Brian pointing the way to my finish line at Jarley's Cove |
Back in 2026 I meet Maureen & Brian
at James Fort. The three of us then walk together to my finish point at the
beautiful Dock Beach, sometimes called Jarley’s Cove. It’s the perfect place to
complete Stage 142.
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| My finish line at Dock Beach/Jarley's Cove |
Stage 143: Co. Cork: Carrigaline to Roberts Cove:
Friday 10 July 2026: 35.4km or 22miles:
‘The society that separates its scholars
from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting done by
fools’ Thucydides
(saw this at ‘Wyrd Tattoo’, Carrigaline)
Breakfast at the Carrigaline Court Hotel
starts at 7.00am so I sneak out of our room and make my way downstairs, ordering
poached eggs and toast. Soon I’m running along the greenway to Crosshaven,
which was the old railway line that ran from 1904 to 1932. It’s another
scorcher of a day but at least there’s some shade by the river.
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| Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway |
Once I reach
the town, I buy some water and continue along the coast. Crosshaven translates
as ‘Bun an Tabhairne’ which means mouth of the river Sabhrann.
The village is significant in two ways. It was mentioned twice in James Joyce Ulysses,
and it is home to the ‘Royal
Cork Yacht Club’ which holds the title of the oldest yacht club in the
world. Crosshaven reminds me a little bit of Bangor, where I live.
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| Crosshaven |
I follow the coastal lane and a rough track
after that. At a basketball court I’m able to take another narrow path that
takes me down onto Graball Bay beach. It is a rocky shoreline, but I continue running
until I reach a white building which was once used as a changing area for
bathers.
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'Changing Rooms' at Graball Bay
|
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| Graball Bay |
Swimming galas used to take place here from 1939 to 1950 organised by
Sunday’s Well and Dolphin Swim Clubs. Even though it’s a beautiful morning it is
still strange to imagine swimming competitions taking place here on this rocky
strand.
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| Climbing up to Cliff Path near Crosshaven |
I climb up steps to leave the beach and then run along a very narrow
cliff path. Part of it is overgrown but I continue to the end. I’m able to
follow a road uphill where I join a trail and I pass St Matthews Church or ‘Tempeall
Bride’. The church was built in 1778 but there is evidence of this
being a place of worship since the 1300’s. It is such a beautiful hillside and countryside
location for a church.
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| St Mattthew's Church |
It’s still tricky getting from here to
Myrtleville. When I do reach the village, I run down to the beach and celebrate
by taking off my shoes and socks and going for a welcome paddle in the sea. I’m
convinced that salt water and seaweed are good for the feet.
I follow the coast
road to Fountainstown Beach. Lots of people enjoying the warm weather here too.
I had read that the
village's Pitch and Putt Club is sometimes considered to be the home of the
sport's first ever course. It reminds me of my brother Sean who died much too
young. He was one of Galway’s and Ireland’s greatest players back in the 1970s
and 1980. Pitch & Putt was really the poor man’s game of golf and invented
here in Fountainstown. In 1945 nine teams competed in the first ever competition.
Really the World Cup of Pitch & Putt, except all the competitors were from
Co. Cork.
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| Fountainstown, Co. Cork |
I’m running out
of water but there’s a long queue at the mobile kiosk in Fountainstown. I
continue running. I know that there is a shop at Minane Bridge which is only 8k
away, so I’ll have to wait a while longer. It is a pity that there isn’t a
bridge here at Ringabella Creek over the narrow inlet to Ringabella. I reckon it
would have saved me about 14k.
My phone rings.
It’s Maureen and she says that she can meet me at Minane Bridge which gives me
a boost. When I finally arrive, I sit with Maureen & Brian at the picnic
tables. It’s only 7.5k of a drive from Carrigaline to here but it has taken me
26k by the coast. The village is called Tracton and there is evidence that over
800 years ago monks travelled from Wales to establish an Abbey here.
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| Brian and Maureen at Minane Bridge |
I continue east,
take a left at Annacariga and head down towards Ringabella. I’m running down
the hill when a car slowly comes up beside me. I get chatting to a man called
Brian and his daughter Alanna who live nearby. They invite me to their house
where I gulp down more water. They also kindly make a donation to my special schools’
charity.
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| Alanna & Brian near Ringabella, Co. Cork |
I leave them and backtrack up the hill and manoeuvre my way across
some country lanes. It’s been a long morning but shortly I arrive at Roberts
Cove.
Stage
144: Co. Cork: Carrigaline to Cork City: Sunday 12 July 2026: 42.3km or 26.3miles: 
"You don't have to sell Cork to me.
To me it's the most important city in the world" Frank O’Connor, Cork’s famous writer
I took a break from coastal running yesterday (Saturday) but couldn't resist doing a parkrun in Cork City.
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| At parkrun in Cork City |
As it is Sunday today,
breakfast at the Carrigaline Court Hotel is served a little later but still I’m ready to run
at 8.00am. I fill up my water bottle and hit the road. Carrigaline is a
satellite town of Cork City, just 12k away but I strictly follow the coast. Years
ago, it used to be a rural village, ‘Carraig Ui Leighin’ – rock
of Leighin. I follow Church Road and then cross into Carrigaline Duck Pond.
There’s a trail marked ‘Mallard Walk’ which keeps me by the
Owenboy river for a while. What a lovely start to today’s run on such a
beautiful morning. Soon I join the R613. At Coolmore I meet a man who tells me
that there is no access to the coast, so I continue along the road. However, I
do take the long and winding lane all the way down to ‘Curraghbinny Wood’.
It was worth it though as in the forest I found a perfect trail to run on. It
makes such a difference being on a soft wooded path in the shade, giving me a boost and afterwards I didn’t find the long run up the hill too
difficult.
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| Bridge from Ringaskiddy to Haulbowline Island |
Back on the R613
I loop around to Ringaskiddy. This area is not as industrial as I thought it
would be. Maybe it is quieter because it’s a Sunday. I cross the bridge to reach
‘Haulbowline Island’. There is a beautiful wee park on the island
and even better than that, I spot a coffee/drinks kiosk. I had already run 18k
today, so I was getting very thirsty and, in any case it’s time for a break. I order
a coffee along with my two bottles of water. The kiosk is called ‘The
Beanie Box’ and I get chatting to a lovely girl called Laura.
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| Laura at the Beanie Box on Haulbowline Island |
I’m so close to Cobh from here and I can see the coloured buildings
across the harbour. Also, Spike Island is nearby where there was once a
monastery. Later it became a prison and was once the largest jail in the world.
That was around the time of the Famine when understandably, crime increased as
starving people were committing crimes just to stay alive. Also, Australia was refusing
to take Irish convicts, so the prison population of Spike Island increased.
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| View of Cobh from Haulbowline Island |
I leave
Haulbowline Island and Ringaskiddy - and continue west. I thought I could run
through Raffeen Creek Golf Course, but some friendly golfers there told me that
there was no way through. They pointed me towards a group of trees where they
advised that I could climb over a wall and get back onto the road. However, when
I came to the wall, I realised it was much higher than myself. It reminded me
of Frank O’Connor’s memoir ‘An Only Child’. He talks about when
he was a young boy and he and his friends would make their way across
countryside. If they came to a high wall they would throw their hats over
first. Then they had no choice but to climb over. I felt the same even if I wasn’t
confident enough to throw my North Down AC cap over first. Luckily for me there was a
tree near the wall, that I used to help me climb over.
On the other
side of the wall was Curragh Hill Road. Shortly, I spot what looks like an old
village in Raffeen. There was once a mill here and even a train station when
trains ran from Cork City to Passage West.
I join the
busier R610 and soon reach Monkstown. Obviously, the town originated from
a monastic settlement but today there is no evidence of any abbey or priory.
However, it was mentioned in ‘Taxation of Pope Nicholas’ as early
as 1291. Yes imagine 735 years ago.
Monkstown Castle was built in the 1630’s by Anastasia Archdeacon as a
surprise gift for her husband, John Archdeacon, who was a naval officer. While
John was abroad, Anastasia managed the project and made sure she stayed within
a tight budget, paying wages at rates of half a penny per day, which even in
the 17th century wasn’t a lot of money. The castle then became known
as ‘The Four Penny Castle’. Anastacia had it all completed and
was ready to surprise her husband John when he returned from his travels. He
sailed into Cork Harbour but mistook the new structure for an enemy
fortification and fired a cannonball at it, damaging the castle. We can only
imagine what poor Anastasia made of this. I reckon there were no more surprises
for John.
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| At Passage West Ferry Crossing |
I follow the coast
and come to Passage West or known locally as ‘Passage’. In 1887 the traveller,
John Bartholomew said Passage West ‘is situated amid fine scenery and
resorted to fine bathing’. Not sure about the bathing part!
A ferry goes
from here across to Cobh all day and this reminds me of that beautiful song
written and recorded by John Spillane. He only wrote it a few years ago, but it
is song of the famine years. My favourite version is a collaboration of two
groups of singers, Dervish (from Sligo) and an American duo, called the Indigo
Girls.
‘I met my
love in Passage West the sun was sinking down to rest. We wandered down by
Chapel Square and there was magic in the air’
After Passage
West, there is a proper Greenway along the dismantled railway line. Therefore it's now
a traffic free run all the way to Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Still a long way to go
though. I try to take a detour down to Hop Island but there is no access onto
it. I then cross Black Bridge (or Sunners Bridge), over the Douglas River.
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| Greenway from Passage West to Cork City |
I
don’t realise that the Greenway takes an inland route but soon I’m back running along the
river again. (I did get time later in the week to visit Blackrock Castle to
meet, Orla Kelly the publisher of my two books)
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| With Orla Kelly, publisher of my two books |
Great to finally
spot my finish line of Pairc Ui Chaoimh. I run around the stadium to extend today’s run to a proper marathon distance. Shortly Maureen and Brian arrive,
and we settle into our Airbnb in nearby Barrington’s Avenue in Blackrock.
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| Pairc Ui Chaomh - today's finish line |
Stage
145: Co. Cork: Cork City to Cobh: Wednesday 15 July 2026: 35.7km or 22.2miles:
‘Where I sported and played neath each green leafy shade on
the banks of my own lovely Lee’ by James Falconer and Dick Forbes
I’m delighted to have someone running with me today, especially as I’ve completed
the last sixteen stages on my own. My companion is Colm, the son of Siobhan
Bridgeman who is chairperson of the PTA at St Gabriels Special School in Cork.
Remember I’m now supporting St Gabriels and any profits from my
future book (Munster Coastal Run) will go to this special school. Siobhan’s
other son, Rory is a student there, so it is a good connection that Rory’s
brother, Colm is running with me today.
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| With Colm by the River Lee |
The heatwave continues so it makes sense for Colm and I arrange to meet early,
8.00am at Pairc Ui Chaoimh GAA stadium. The game of hurling is the main sport
in Cork City and the surrounding area. Cork have been All Ireland champions
thirty times, but they are going through a slight famine at the moment. The
hurling team have not won the title since 2005. Their supporters are so
dedicated, and I was proud to be in Croke Park earlier this month when they
filled that stadium for the Semi-Final. Unfortunately for them they were beaten by Galway (but fortunate for me as I am a Galwegian!)
At Albert Quay we have to cross the river twice as it separates into two
sections. The city itself was founded over 1,400 years ago when a monk called
Finbar walked the length of the River Lee (90km long), from Gougane Barra to
Cork City. It sounds like another crazy adventure. Finbar then founded a monastery
in a marshy land full of islands, which is now Cork.
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| Rowers on River Lee, Cork City |
The city brings back memories of a poem I learned in school called ‘The
Bells of Shandon’. It was written almost 200 years ago in 1832 by
Francis Mahony, who was known as Father Prout. St Annes in Shandon is the oldest
church still in use in Cork City. I just love the opening line of this
poem, so much love and longing in that one sentence.
With
deep affection and recollection, I often think of those Shandon bells.
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| St Anne's Church in Shandon, Cork City |
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| Brian and I ringing the bells in Shandon Church, Cork City |
During our time in Cork City we went to see St Anne's Church in Shandon. The icing on the cake was that we were able to ring the famous bells. Such a lovely experience.
Meanwhile Colm and I try to run along the Tivoli Dock area, but
a security man stops us. We keep running as far as a roundabout and then with
Colm’s local knowledge we are able to reach a Greenway. We soon make our way
down to ‘Little Island’. Lucky for me Colm used to work here so he
knows the area quite well. and even better, he is aware of a Spar Shop where we
can fill up with water.
We leave Little Island, get back onto a Greenway and pass the village of
Glounthaune. If I didn’t have Colm with me, I might have stayed on the Greenway
all the way to Midleton. Instead, we get back onto the main road and soon we
reach ‘Fota Island’.
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| With Colm on Foto Island |
We enter the complex at the Golf Course
entrance. I thought we could just circle the island, but there are ‘no entry’
signs around the golfing area. Lots of shade in here though which we both
welcome. We do eventually exit on the southern side of the island. Later
Maureen, Brian and I went back to see the Wildlife Park and had a lovely
afternoon. I think Brian was impressed with the giraffes and zebras and we also had
a trip on the big Ferris Wheel.
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| Foto Island with Giraffe & Ferris Wheel |
Soon Colm and I cross over the channel onto
‘Great Island’.
We spot the impressive Belvelly Castle. It’s originally from the 14
th
century but it’s been restored beautifully in the last 10 years.
The next few miles were quite difficult running on the main road against
some heavy traffic. Colm and I are so glad to see a footpath as we get closer
to Cobh. Previously, I had been to the town a few times with my son Matthew to
watch him play tennis at Rushbrooke, so it was a little bit familiar.
Cobh is famous as the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912. The
town was called Queenstown in those days and 123 passengers embarked on the
ship here. 113 of these were third class passengers emigrating to America. In
fact, it is estimated that 2.5 million Irish emigrants departed from Cobh.
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| Annie Moore & brothers. Cobh, Co. Cork |
We
spot a famous statue here of Annie Moore with her young brothers Anthony and
Philip. They left Cobh on 20 December 1891 and when they arrived in America on
1st January 1892, they became the first people to be processed through
the new ‘Immigration Inspection Station’ at Ellis Island in New
York harbour. Annie was given a gold coin worth 10 dollars from the
commissioner of the island. Her parents had already been in New York for a
couple of years and the reunited family settled in Lower Manhattan at 32 Monroe
Street.
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| With Siobhan, PTA Chairperson of St Gabriel's with her two sons, Colm and Rory |
We had arranged to meet Colm’s Mum, Siobhan here with her special son,
Rory. Siobhan is the chairperson of St. Gabriels PTA, and I will continue to
support this Special School on my adventure. Also, it was apt that our finish
point today was at the statue of Ireland’s best female athlete, Sonia
O’Sullivan who was born in Cobh. Among her many achievements, Sonia won the
gold medal at the 5,000 metres at the 1995 World Championships.
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| At Sonia O'Sullivan Statue in Cobh |
Stage
146: Co. Cork: Cobh to Midleton: Thursday 14 July 2026: 35.5km or 22.1miles:
‘Through the sea you cut a path, gracefully without
hesitation. The largest ship ever built, no one could guess your fatal
destination’’ HayleyV18
It’s another early
start for me. I walk from our Airbnb into Cork City’s Kent Station, enjoying
the early morning sunshine. I then take the 7.00am train to Cobh. I’m looking
out the window and thinking that it is a pity there is no greenway or path that
would run alongside the railway line. Once I reach Cobh, I call to a local shop
to get some water. It’s going to be another scorcher of a day.
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| Annie Moore in front of huge passenger liner |
The Cathedral of St Colman towers over the town and is the tallest
church in Ireland with a high steeple measuring 91 metres tall. Lots of hills as
I leave the town and head east.
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| St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh |
There isn’t really a coastal road or path – so
I take a few cul-de-sac roads, one leading down to the ‘Titanic Memorial
Garden’. I was surprised here to see a memorial stone dedicated to Bruce
Ismay. He was Chairman of the White Star Line and had authorised the reduction
in the number of lifeboats on the Titanic from 48 to 16. Ismay survived the
sinking by getting on the last lifeboat, so all in all I don’t think he was a
very popular man.
At a small
roundabout I take a right turn and reach Cuskinny Nature Reserve which is owned
by Birdwatch Ireland and by the aptly named, Bird family. I remembered that the
RTE Dawn Chorus on 3rd May had played from here for seven hours; an
orchestra of birds as my friend Roisin would have called it. At Cuskinny Bay, even
though it’s only 9.00am there are already people swimming in the sea.
I stick to the
coast and after a few miles, I make my way down to Glenmore Beach. I’m then
able to follow a rough path, sometimes very narrow and then along a rutted lane
(with no signage to help me). Eventually I’m happy to get to Marlogue Woods. Nice to be on a forest trail again; also,
good to be running in the shade in this heat. I reach the very southeast corner
of Great Island, so all I have to now is make my way up to the northern shore,
which is referred to by locals as, ‘the back end of the Island’
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| Glenmore Bay, Co. Cork |
It feels much more straightforward to
be running on this side of Great Island because the road hugs the coast. I take a break along here at
10.00am as my publisher, Orla Kelly has arranged a radio chat for me on 96FM,
which seems to be the main local station in Co. Cork. It’s a relaxing interview
with PJ Coogan as I sit on a wall by the shore protected by the shade of a big
sycamore tree. Later the station puts up a post about my adventure on its
website ‘’Every step for St Gabriel's Special School – an extraordinary
7,000km challenge raising funds for special schools across Ireland’’
and links in the fundraising page
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maureen-oboyle
Once I leave Great Island, I have
to join the busy R624 for a few kilometres. Shortly though I take a right turn onto
the L3619 signposted Rossmore. Unfortunately, I have not passed any shops all
morning and now I’ve beginning to suffer. I badly need a drink. I stop a lady
outside her house and ask her to fill up my two water containers. I gulp one
bottle down and save the other for the last few miles. I’m glad I did as it
seems to be taking me a long time to reach the town. I suppose all the running
over the last few days is catching up on me, so it's walk..... drink water..... run ...as I
struggle through to my finish line. Finally, I reach today’s destination, the town of Midleton.
And so we depart from tropical Co. Cork and head back up north again, stopping at the 'Rock of Cashel' on our way. It was at this spot in Co. Tipperary that Brian Boru was crowned king of Munster in 977. I always liked the name Brian and I remember reading James Plunkett's 'Farewell Companions' when a character mentions that Brian is 'a kingly name'. King Brian Boru went on to win one of Ireland's famous battles at Clontarf in 1014, despite losing his own life. His son, Murchad and grandson, Toirdelbach also died at Clontarf. However the battle was an important win for Brian Boru against a Viking/Leinster alliance and was seen as an event that freed Ireland from foreign rule - well for a couple of hundred years.... Meanwhile back in 2026, my son Brian, Maureen and I leave the province of Munster and head north to Ulster.
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| Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary |
