On Saturday the 1st September we attended the first Denis O'Connor walking Festival in Carlingford. There were about 150 participants and the whole venture raised more than €40,000 for charity. Almost 50 people got up at 5 am to start the 40 kilometre Tain Way walk. I would love to have been fit enough – but I know my limitations. So instead we opted for the easier but not easy Slieve Foy ascent. We started at 1.30. Our guide took us up the first leg at quite a pace – not fast but relentless. The good thing was that we gained a lot of height quickly. After that we were left to our own pace. It was very well organised with guides along the way to ensure no one got lost. The middle section was nice and easy with a gradual angled ascent followed by a lovely ridge walk. But then the impressive crags of Slieve Foy loomed closer and the real climb started. There was a pretty good path all the way but it was steeper. Also there were a couple of false tops – and although we knew it could be the top – we could hope! Then someone said there was a cup of tea on top – that spurred us on. Unfortunately they were misinformed!
But the break on the top was welcome. There was a big crowd of familiar faces. The views to the Isle of Man, the Mournes, Dundalk Bay and right down to Howth Head Bray Head and the Sugarloaf were spectacular.
The descent exercised some new muscles and was tricky – but views on the way down are always more dramatic. The string of walkers down the path made a great picture. By the time we got down we were ready for a shower. The weather held up pretty well all day we had a couple of showers but they never seem to last more than 5 minutes.
Later we had a lovely evening at the Carlingford Marina, starting with a couple of very welcome pints and followed by good food and company.
All in all a very successful first in what must become an annual event.
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