First Killeshandra Camino to take place in June
The first ever Killeshandra Camino will take place later this year, June 18, when walkers will take on the newly-mapped 35.5km route through some of the country’s most picturesque rolling hillsides and unspoilt forests, country laneways and lakeside greenways.
Last week the Killeshandra Camino committee gathered at the town’s strand to officially launch the upcoming initiative, together with one of Killeshandra’s most famous sons, Anglo-Celt Cup and Ulster Senior Football Championship winning captain from 1997, Stephen King.
Inspired by the network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe, the Killeshandra Camino committee came up with the idea to make use of the linkages between local walking routes pre-pandemic. It’s only now, nearly two years later, that they’ve had an opportunity to organise this landmark event, which they hope will become a major attraction going forward bringing thousands more visitors to the area.
Camino Project coordinator, Eileen Gormely, told the Celt: “It’s about putting Killeshandra on the map. We want our town to be a place where people will come to on walking holidays, and that Killeshandra will soon be a destination of choice in that regard.”
Killeshandra is already located within the world famous UNESCO recognised Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark, and marketed to tourists as part of Fáilte’s Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
“Some of our group had walked Caminos elsewhere, in Spain, Kerry, even in Sligo, and when we viewed and looked at what was right here on our own doorstep, we realised that Killeshandra had all those unique attributes to make a beautiful walk.”
Entry for the Camino in June costs €40 per person, excluding booking fee, and includes a map of the route, as well as refreshments en route in the form of drinks and fruit. Walkers will also be treated to a hot meal after they cross the finish line, along with a passport with a commemorative certificate to say they have completed the Killeshandra Camino.
Joe Fletcher says that the Killeshandra Camino committee hope to extend the occasion beyond the June inaugural launch, and make the walk an annual event.
“We hope to make it an annual event that will take place on the third Saturday every June. We want to see walkers enjoy the route all year around. Killeshandra and the countryside around is very beautiful, with paths suited to people of all ability. To say we’re excited about hosting our first Camino is an understatement and we’re really looking forward to showing off all that our town has to offer.”
Fellow committee member, and gaeilgeoir, Bríd Óg Ní Dholáin tells people to bring a friend.
“Giorraíonnn beirt bóthar. It means two people together shorten the journey.”
For more information about the inaugural Killeshandra Camino walk on June 18, 2022, visit www.Killeshandracamino.ie or follow Killeshandra Camino Calling on social media for regular updates.