first walker arrived at St. James Church, Dingle was Michelle Herbert from Dublin. Pictured being presented with walk completion certificate by Billy Nolan and Grace O'Donnell of Kerry Camino.
The annual guided walking festival – Kerry Camino – took place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th May. 250 pilgrims left St. Johns Church, Tralee following a blessing from Fr. Padraig Walsh. The St. Brendan the Navigator Festival (3rd to 19th May) was also launched.
Friday’s route took walkers along the Canal Bank to Blennerville, onwards to Tonevane and the Dingle Way route crossing the Sliabh Mish Mountains to Camp via Curraheen, Derrymore and Killelton. Following a hike of 18km, refreshments were enjoyed at The Railway Tavern at Lower Camp.
Saturday’s 17km route was from Camp, crossing the Emlagh Bog pathway to Inch beach and on to Annascaul, where a BBQ and music session was held. Walkers had the option to stay overnight in local accommodation over the route for the 3 days but most chose to come back to Tralee each day on the bus transport provided by Kerry Camino for the weekend.
The final day’s walk on Sunday was a bit longer at 22km and on a beautiful sunny day the large group left the South Pole Inn at Annascaul for Dingle, taking in Minard Castle and Storm Beach; a lunch break at Lispole and the final section was across the mountain towards Conor Hill and into Dingle. Walk completed, logbooks stamped along the route over 3 days, pilgrims received Certificates of Completion at the Church of St. James on Main Street. A welcome meal was provided at Geaney’s pub next door, and following some time to relax and take in Feile na Bealtaine in Dingle, the bus brought tired and happy walkers back to Tralee.
A very successful weekend, the Tralee Kerry Camino committee organize this event annually with the assistance of members of Tralee Mountaineering Club and local walking enthusiasts. Assistance was received by Tralee’s Garda Siochana, who provided safe escort for the walk group on Friday morning as far as Blennerville, mile buiochas.
The route is available for anyone to walk and enjoy at any time, the route takes approx. 5 to 7 hours of walking per day and logbooks are available from the Kerry Camino display unit at St. Johns Church, also from Kerry County Museum (until the Tourist Office re-opens in June.) Certificates for completing the route are available from the Tourist Office in Dingle and Tralee.
This year’s walk brought over 250 walking enthusiasts to the Tralee area for 3 days, no doubt the tourism and hospitality businesses felt the financial benefits, and with the successful conclusion many of the walkers will be sharing and spreading their positive experiences with family and friends. It bodes well for future walking tourism in Tralee.
Adrienne McLoughlin
Kerry Camino
Further information on the route available on our website and social media channels – www.kerrycamino.com also our facebook and instagram sites.