16 July 1997
WALKING FESTIVAL SPECIAL:
Tom Kelly takes an off-the-beat look at the 31st annual Castlebar International Four Days Walking Festival in which he participated.
DAY ONE
Ernie's announcement, an invitation to Ulster and making a feast of scallions and cheese!
Barely had the walks got underway when one of the festival's most charismatic and best known personalities, Ernie Sweeney, was lamenting the fact it was his last as a group leader.
He was stepping aside after three decades and handing over the reins to Susie Fry. Ernie would, however, continue to participate in the event as a walker.
"I have been leading the ramble since its inception 25 years ago. There were 12 walkers on the first ramble back in 1973. Now it has grown to over 600. It's a big responsibility looking after all those people.
"The festival is still in my blood, however. But I am looking forward to just being a walker once again."
Ernie made his announcement official on the closing day of the walks, but the word had long since spread like wildfire.
He will be missed. He came up with some classic statements when he addressed the walkers in his own inimitable style. Like the time he pointed in the direction of the Ceide Fields, saying that people were living there long before the Egyptians had applied for planning permission for the pyramids.
When a reporter from The Times in London sought his opinion on the escalating situation in Drumcree, Ernie told him that both the nationalists and the loyalists would be welcome to march through the countryside of Castlebar!
In fairness to the man, he can never be accused of being stuck for words.
The ramble on the opening day took walkers to the top of Raheenbar where a wind generator is soon to be built.
DAY TWO
Appropriately, on July 4th, the stars and strips were carried shoulder high through the streets of the town by an American soldier.
It was important to him that he did so and festival president Elaine Devereaux made it possible. She is good at dealing with the different nationalities. There were 38 countries represented this time.
Many of the foreign walkers were proud to carry their national flags every step of the way.
The Union Jack was not in evidence, however. Neither was the tri-colour, for that matter. There was nothing sinister in this, only that nobody was willing to carry either across 20 or so miles of bog and hilly land.
The Castlebar walks are as international as anybody can imagine. They could just as easily be taking place anywhere else in the world than Castlebar. Some day, the town will truly be glad they are not.
The festival is going to be really big. . .one day. Even through there is a lobby to keep it small and intimate.
DAY THREE
What's the attraction of walking long distances on four consecutive days?
A glorious sense of achievement? The sweet smell of heather in the nostrils and fresh air in the lungs? The feeling of accomplishment when the mind triumphs over blistered matter?
All of those, of course. But every walker has their own personal reason. Walking is a personal thing even through a tremendous sense of spirit and comradeship exists between walkers.
Walkers are a rare breed in many respects, but they cannot be charged with being anti-social.
This year the most fashionable way of winding down was by sampling the selection of scallions, cheese and Guinness provided every evening in the general Newantrim Street area.
The onions came from Pat Moylette's back garden in St. Bridget's Crescent and the cheese was specially imported from Northern Ireland. The porter was subsidised by Johnny McHale and Ann McHugh.
DAY FOUR
Dragging oneself from the bed on the final morning of the walks is not the most pleasant of tasks, especially when the rain is pouring down outside.
The limbs are painful and stiff after eight or so hours sleep. Not everybody gets eight hours sleep, you know. Some are so taken by the Castlebar hospitality that they don't get to bed at all.
Nobody enjoys facing a hard trek with the added burden of a hangover, even if walking is the best cure of all for such an ailment. Some bring a little help in their breast-pockets, just in case!
The final day belonged to those receiving gold and silver medals marking their participation in the walks for ten and five years, respectively.
They are an inspiration to others, particularly the first timers. Anybody who completes the walks five or tens times deserves all the adoration they get.
The walks are not easy. They never will be. But it should not deter people from doing them.
Next year will be special. The organisers plan to commemorate the 1798 bicentenary in their own way.
It will also be the first time that major sponsorship will come on board with the news that Portwest, the Westport clothing manufacturing company, have signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the walks.
The future is brighter than even.
