Kerry Calls

Tuesday, 10 July, 2018

In September 2017, we undertook our first Kerry Camino fundraiser - a five day trip on the Dingle peninsula, walking from Tralee to Dingle and covering a distance of almost 60km. With walking being such a huge interest area for so many and the Dingle peninsula being such a heavenly place we knew it would be an attractive trip for supporters.

The relatively newly developed Kerry Camino route is managed by a volunteer committee who work to promote it as a tourist/leisure attraction in the area. Our trip was supported by one of their extremely helpful volunteers who provided us with passports and certificates and, on the first morning, met us at the starting point at St John’s Church in Tralee and joined us on the first 5km of the route.

Our lovely volunteer explained that a local archaeological dig had uncovered ancient relics that are believed to have been brought back from the Spanish Camino. Dingle is believed to have been a popular departure point for pilgrims of old making their way to Santiago de Compostela hence the relevance of developing a homegrown camino leg!

This route is beautiful. The landscape of mountains rolling down to sea, the hedge grows heavy with fuchsia in bloom, the quiet country roads and the many rugged cross country trails that will prove your fitness and highlight the full majesty of Kerry beneath your feet!

Although easy to follow, the route can be challenging, especailly if the weather is unkind. On day one of walking the trail hugs the side of a mountain for several kilometres, requiring a bit of rock-climbing, stile-climbing and bog-negotiating! On the second day, you climb out of Camp and cross the mountain to drop down on the other side of the peninsula at Inch beach. From there the walk continues on to the town of Annascaul.

The final day walking covers 22kms of truly beautiful scenery walking in the cradle of the mountain ranges that border the town of Dingle and rise up to the Conor Pass.

On our journey, we stamped our passports in St John’s Church in Tralee before beginning our walk and then at selfservice stands dotted along the way. Stamps are also available in the B & B accommodation. We lunched at Inch Beach on the second day but on the two other days we organised a flask and packed lunch to have en route. There’s nothing like a picnic!

The most extraordinary thing about undertaking this trip was that we never met another person over the course of the three days walking – what a wonderful thing! The county was ours and ours alone until we eventually got to where we were going each evening. Then there was always a welcome pint, a good feed and a chat to be had in the local pub!

Who should come on the Kerry Camino?

If you love to walk, enjoy doing it in different locations while meeting new people and raising funds for Beaumont Hospital, then the Kerry Camino is for you.


Itinerary:

28th Sept - Depart Dublin - four hour coach journey - to Tralee where we overnight (Note: if you live elsewhere in the country you may prefer to meet us in Tralee)
29th Sept: Starting from St Johns Church in Tralee we walk to the village of Camp, 18km
30th Sept: Walk from Camp to Annascaul, 17km
1st Oct: Walk from Annascaul to Dingle, 22km
2nd Oct: Free morning to explore Dingle OR you there is the option (at additional cost of €20) to hire a bike and cycle out to Slea Head and Dun Chaoin before returning to catch the bus to Tralee and then on to Dublin.


Trip cost and what it includes:

The trip costs €650 to include a €300 donation to any area in Beaumont Hospital.

Booking deposit €150 - places are limited.

If you would be interested in more information or would like to register to join us on the trip, please call 01 - 809 2457 or email hello@beaumont.ie.


beaumontfundraising.ie