Art O Neill Walk 2008

Art's Cross The Art O’Neill Walk 2008 It was shortly after 11.30pm when I arrived at the entrance to Dublin Castle in Castle Street, Dublin, on Friday 4th January 2008. Small groups of walkers were gathering on the cobblestone street in front of the Main Gate, preparing themselves for another Art O’Neill Walk. The night was cool but dry and there was an air of subdued excitement. Greeting old familiar faces back for more punishment, I began to hurriedly hand out a small slip of paper to each participant. It read: PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN ORGANISED WALK! THERE WILL BE NO SUPPORT DURING THE WALK THERE WILL BE NO TRANSPORT IF YOU WITHDRAW THERE WILL BE NO FOOD OR DRINK ALONG THE WAY YOU MUST FIND YOUR OWN WAY HOME AT THE FINISH THERE IS NO OFFICIAL LEADER YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED BEFORE YOU START OUT! Very soon the midnight hour approached, and so with the blow of a whistle I headed off up Castle Street followed by 53 enthusiastic souls of varying shapes, sizes and abilities. Two runners from Northern Ireland, Fred Hamond and Desi O'Hagan, shortly afterwards passed the group as they commenced their own plan to run the 33-mile distance to Glenmalure. The adrenalin in the walkers is always very evident during this road section out to the Kilbride Army Camp and on this occasion it was no different. I allowed every person to pass me by until I was at the very back and had gained a perspective on the strength and bearing of each one who had passed. Slowly but surely over the next 15k to the Stone Cross at Ballinascorney Gap, reached at 2:20am, I returned to the front and led the way out to our first stop at Kilbride. Unfortunately, it had become very cold, windy and wet, as we paused to change into our boots for the mountains ahead. Some found it almost impossible to tie their laces because of the cold-induced numbness in their hands.

Four postmen (I was the fifth) arrived at this point wearing a strange array of Post Office boots and raingear, not to mention one of them arrayed in army combat clothes covered with a fulsome poncho. If the wind had been any stronger he would have been blown over the mountains to Glenmalure! Fortunately, however, his voluminous 1970’s hair-style negated the necessity for any head-covering. With 23k now reached, and five walkers calling it a day (or should that be a night?), it was time to leave the road and meander down through some dark fields on the way to Ballysmuttan bridge. What a lovely sight it was to look back at the long line of head-torches in the total darkness as we descended and made our way back onto the road! Art O'Neill Walk 2008: Pam Coleman, accompanied by Michael Neary and Paul Conroy, points to Art O'Neill's commemorative plaque A further 7k now found us at Ballynultagh Gap where a short break was taken before ascending our first mountain, Black Hill. Slowly plodding upwards along its stony track, the tiredness of many now became evident as the group stretched out noticeably, requiring frequent pauses by those at the front to allow the group to stay together. Several wanted to simply forge ahead at a greater speed so as to stay warm in the bitterly cold and dark morning, but were not brave enough to make an attempt at navigating themselves. From the top of Black Hill, armed with a few bearings and an old fading compass, we contoured our way through more than 2000 double-paces around to Billy Byrne’s Gap just as the dawn was breaking.

At this point there were even more tired bodies and blistered feet (those cursed steel toe-capped Post Office boots!) as the weary group became a little quieter as each walker dealt with his own demons. Making our way through the rough heather on the side of the slope leading downwards, we arrived at the hamlet of Glenbride and made our way through some very old fields to Ballinagee Bridge at 40k, where a welcome break for food was made. Three walkers withdrew at this stage. Eventually a group of fresher, faster walkers took off on their own. The day was clear and dry and the navigation would not now be a problem. Another smaller and slower group followed, while yet another group lingered longer at this point and refreshed themselves further with a variety of vittles supplied to all by the Knockadosan Dozen and the Bray Strollers walking clubs.

 The journey now for many was a tortuous one up along the Glenreemore brook to Art’s Cross. The visibility, unfortunately, was very poor, and careful navigation over the featureless and snow-laden landscape to the Avonbeg River was required at that point. Eventually each and every person arrived safely at Baravore car-park at 52k, some with bloodied and sore feet, some a little tired after wandering through the snowy bogs around Three Lakes, but all very content at accomplishing their own personal goal. By the way, the two runners, Fred and Desi, had finished their trek at 11 am. Afterwards, the pint or two while socializing in the Glenmalure Lodge at Drumgoff gave a perfect ending to a satisfying achievement! Special thanks and appreciation must be given to the highly-appreciated support and back-up provided by Pat Lynch of the Wayfarers, who transported backpacks for many to the first stop at Kilbride, and who was always available, if needed, for emergencies during the trek.

Especially appreciated by some was the luxury he provided by bringing them home to their doors afterwards. We also wish to express appreciation for the refreshments provided by the Knockadosan Dozen and the Bray Strollers walking clubs at Ballinagee Bridge when many were at a very low ebb indeed. The unofficial leader would particularly wish to thank Michael Neary and Michael Purcell who stayed at the back of the group and ensured that nobody was in distress or falling away during the course of the trek. They were the leader’s right-hand men. Thank you, one and all!

Tom Milligan Dublin Castle