Enjoy a champagne reception, 4 course meal, after dinner entertainment with the Irish Sopranos, MC Philip Cawley and much more…

All proceeds will be divided between Bru Columbanus and Cork Arc. For tickets or further details please contact Anne-Maria at 021-4345754.

Vouchers available to present to your family and friends.

They are just €5 for 6 cards.

On the back of the card it says -All proceeds from the cards go to Bru Columbanus).

You can pay by credit card or send us a postal order/ cheque and we can post them to you.

The concert will take place in the resplendid surroudings of the The Church of St. Patrick and the Immaculate Conception, Bandon. It will commence at 7.30pm. Tickets will be just €15 per person, it will be a truely majical evening. For tickets and information please contact 021-4345754.

(Bring a cushion)

Saturday 3rd September 2011.

Organised by three families who stayed in Bru when a loved one was seriously ill- it was a great success and raised in excess of €34,000.

If you would like to organise a fundraising event we would love to hear from you. Please contact Anne-Maria at 021-4345754.

Aaron Kiely, who it just 11 months had to travel to Bristol hospital for cancer treatment. (His family were living in the UK at the time.) On arrival the family were given keys to accommodation named “Click House”, so the anxiety of finding and funding accommodation was alleviated. A short time later Aaron’s uncle, Charlie Barry, was approached by the Knights of St. Columbanus as they wanted to develop a community based project. The knights of St. Columbanus had sold off their Cork city centre premises and were interested in investing the money in a community based project. Mr. Barry suggested replicating the services provided in Click House. With a lot of hard work and within a very short time Brú Columbanus was established and welcomes it’s first family in September 2005.

President McAlese was given a tour of the house by the House Manager, Mairead Waters- our President was more than impressed with the facilities which include 26 ensuite bedrooms with supporting kitchens and lounges where families can meet and offer support and understanding to each other at such a difficult time. In her speech President McAlese acknowledged the immense work carried out by the volunteers.

She compared Bru Columbanus to a modern day Meitheal- community coming together, supporting each other and truly helping one another at a time when they are down and vulnerable. President McAlese, spoke passionately and said “I defy anyone to tell me this is not a great country, when you see the incredible work that is carried out here and by our voluntary organizations though out the country” This was met by a warm round of applause.

After the speeches, Anne-Maria O’Connor, Event Manager introduced the President to some of the families who had stayed in Bru Columbanus including:

Lorraine and Michael Sugrue from Castletownbere, stayed for 16 weeks when their baby (Isobel) was born premature and weighed just one pound. Isobel recently celebrated her third birthday. Lorrraine said of her stay “We would have been lost without Bru Columbanus, it enabled us to be at the hospital within minutes in crucial weeks and months when we were not sure if Isobel would survive”

Ann and Russell Kiely, Limerick shared their experience with the President- unfortunately they did not have such a happy ending as Ann’s husband, Russell’s father passed away in C.U.H. But they were so grateful to have been able to be close to him and to have stayed in Bru.

If you would like to take part in any of the marathons next year why not sign up to our newsletter and we will keep you up to date of all upcoming events!

• Cork City and Suburbs May 2012
• Midleton and Mallow 14th October 2011
• Bandon September 2012
• Clonakilty  September 2012

If you would like to organise a flag day collection (street collection) or bag pack in your local supermarket we would be delighted to hear from you!

Please contact Anne-Maria at 021-4345754.

Distance: 15km | Ascent: 260m | Time: 6 hrs

All walkers should meet at the Kenmare Bay Hotel from 10a.m. The hotel have given permission for us to park here. A bus will transport all walkers from the Kenmare Bay to Blackwater Bridge where the walk will commence.

The Kenmare Walking club will be leading the walk.

Starting from Blackwater Bridge, the Kerry Way briefly stays on the road before turning off into some forestry. The trail runs along the estuary of the Blackwater River, with views out to the Kenmare River through the gaps in the trees. After reaching Lackeen Point, the trail changes direction and starts to come back inland and retreat into the forest and away from the waters edge.

After 2½km, the trail skirts the private residence of Dromore Castle, which was built prior to the Irish Famine, in the 1830′s. The Kerry Way gradually ascends 30m to come within touching distance of the road and then once again turns towards the sea. A further 2½km sees the forest track pass the ruins of Cappanacush Castle from the 13th century.

Shortly after passing the castle, the trail returns to the ‘Ring of Kerry’ road for the remaining 2km to Templenoe. The road passes and old church which is now been converted into a private dwelling and also a Pat Spillanes Pub, which is owned by one of Ireland’s most renowned Gaelic Football players. After another few hundred metres, the trail reaches the church opposite the post office, marking the stage end.

Within ½km of leaving the new church at Templenoe (opposite the post office), the Kerry Way leaves map 85 and goes onto map 78. The trail then turns off the ‘Ring of Kerry’ and starts an ascent of 120m over the next 2km to cross a spur of Lacka Hill. The estuary of the Kenmare River becomes increasingly narrow as the Beara Peninsula draws in close. Over the next 1km, the track crosses the Reen River and drops 60m to meet a minor road.

A second ascent of 150m sees the Kerry Way climb Gortamullin Hill (205m) over the next 1½km. Fantastic Views of the Caha Mountains on the Beara Peninsula are to the south and the gap between Knockanaguish and Peakeen Mountains immediately to the north-east mark the area where the Kerry Way will pass in the following section. Over the following 2½km, the trail drops back down close to sea-level and once again meets the ‘Ring of Kerry’ as it enters Kenmare.

The final 1km of trail approaches the town along a secluded gravel path which escapes the traffic before emerging in the central market square after crossing the Finnihy River.

Transport

The Kenmare Bay Hotel have kindly granted permission to our walkers to park in their car park. The walk will return to the Hotel.

Sponsorship T-Shirts

Each walker will be provided with a Brú Columbanus t-shirt on the morning of the walk. It is best to layer, so the Brú Columbanus t-shirt can be worn over your own top. Please contact Anne-Maria at 021-4345754 or brucolumbanus@eircom.net and advise her of your own t-shirt size. (s-m-l-xl)

Clothing and Essential Items

Comfortable walking/ hiking boots and socks, a hat or cap for sun protection (or rain!), water and wind proof jackets and over trousers are essential outer wear. Beneath that a series of lighter mid and under layers of clothing are recommended. It would be worthwhile bringing spare socks, a small face cloth, your mobile phone and camera.

Don’t forget to bring sunglasses and sunscreen (let’s be optimistic!)

Refreshments

Bring plenty of food and liquids, for example sandwiches, bananas, apples, energy bars, and water.

Accommodation

The following is a selection of accommodation in Kenmare should you wish to stay.

• Kenmare Bay Hotel: 064 66 79300
• Brooklane Hotel: 064 6642077
• Davitts B&B: 064 6642741
• Landsowne Arms Hotel: 064 6641368

If you wish to stay please book early.

Safety

• Hill walking is an adventure sport and not devoid of an element of risk. Those taking part in any of the walks do so at their own risk.
• The walk is not suitable for buggies or bikes.

Download the flyer here