Hundreds to take part in Killeshandra Camino

Killeshandra is to welcome 400 walkers this weekend as the first Killeshandra camino takes place.

Saturday, June 18, will see those taking part set off on the 35.5km walk around the village and surrounding parts of west Cavan.

The local community have been working on the plan for the Camino for the past number of years in a bid to attract walkers to the area and bring a boost to local businesses and groups.

Officially launched earlier this year, there are just a handful of places remaining for the inaugural event.

Eileen Gormley, from the organising committee says the Killeshandra Camino stands with the best of them across the world:

“I have walked Caminos all over the world and Killeshandra has as much to offer as any one of them. Our walk will take people through Killykeen Forest Park, along country lanes, over stone bridges, along rivers and streams and through some of the most beautiful, peaceful landscapes in the country. We are very much looking forward to welcoming 400 people to the town on the 18th June’ and are confident the Camino will be a huge success.”

Support for the project has been given by Cavan County Council through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which funded the physical infrastructure for the project.

Delivered through the Department of Rural and Community Development, the ORIS prioritises projects with a strong community involvement.

Created in Cavan, the local food and drinks brand, is also supporting the Camino and local food producers will be on hand to provide much needed sustenance along the route.

Killeshandra Camino has the potential to become an annual event which can showcase the area to visitors, provide a much-needed injection into the local economy and become a flagship event, of which the community can be most proud.

Cavan County Council has erected a series of marker posts mapping out the soon-to-launch 35.5km Camino walk through the beautiful lake-dotted landscapes of Killeshandra.

Starting and finishing at Killeshandra Community Hall, the official opening of the Camino will take place June 18 (entry €40) with participants treated to a map, drinks/fruit enroute, a hot dinner at the finish, and a certificate of completion.

Organised entirely by local volunteers with the support Coillte, Get Ireland Walking, Cavan Tourism and Cavan County Council, the route stretches across tarred byroads, gravel paths, forest tracks and grassy trails.

"It's all positive," said senior engineer for the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District area, Paul Mulligan.

He praised the community's input on the initiative, and on work carried out to a wall approaching Killeshandra at the former Convent.

The wall was constructed by McCabe Group, and he paid tribute to the quality of the work, which was overseen by the council's own bridge team - Orla Malone and Seamus O'Brien.

More information at http://www.killeshandracamino.ie