Nenagh man's 'gargantuan' journey

Nenagh man Willie Bolger is travelling the world and enthralling a wide readership with regular online posts about his 'gargantuan' journey.

Travel is Willie's passion. He has an online blog in which he tells of his travels and documents his adventures with eye-catching photographs.

“Travel has captured my attention in a way no other pastime, sport or activity ever could,” Willie writes. “Before travel found its way into my life there was nothing I could legitimately say I was passionate about.

“There is no single aspect of travel I like but the whole rigmarole of it all. I love the always hectic airport hussle and bussle, I love the adrenaline buzz I get when the captain powers the engines to get the jet air-bound, I love getting that new currency into my hand and trying to figure out its worth, I love trying that strange looking local beer which I was oblivious of to until that moment... I could go on forever to be honest.

“I have now taken my passion for travel to a whole new level and now my life is solely based around this highly educational and eye-opening pastime. I have decided that this is something I want to pursue full-time and possibly make a living from down the line, as working on a building site for the rest of my days does not appeal to me!”

Son of Tom and Mary Bolger of Annbrook Heights, and grandson of Toddy and Maureen Bulger, who lived all their lives at Pound St, Nenagh, Willie hurled with Éire Óg before emigrating to Canada in 2016.

This year he's on a solo around the world trip “that can only be described as gargantuan”. Accompanied by his backpack, laptop and a “few pennies” to get by, he aims to make a name for himself in the travel world, and see how long he can keep going an how many nations and experiences he can encounter along the way.

“It is a massively daunting endeavour and a planning procedure beyond belief but I believe with careful planning, a rock solid mindset and a work rate that cannot be matched that I can make something of this,” Willie says. “Here’s to chasing a dream!”

Follow the Nenagh man's travel blog at wiliesurbanwalk.com.