Aonach ar Siúl and Camino Society meet in Nenagh

The sense of joy and camaraderie could be felt in the warm greetings of the members of Aonach ar Siúl (Nenagh Walking Club) and visiting members of the Camino Society of Ireland at the Nenagh Lawn Tennis clubhouse venue on Saturday February 16th.

When Anne Fitzpatrick, who is an active member of Aonach ar Siúl, and Jim McNicholas, who is the director of the Camino Society of Ireland, together invited the Society to come to Nenagh to share and to co-host an open day for the two organisations, a network of friends and supporters ensured it would be a day to remember. The offering of information by members who were there to help, the presentation of sandwiches and cakes and treats, the decking of the hall with flags and banners, the arranging of seats, the friendly atmosphere in the clubhouse, was evidence of an event well-planned and orchestrated. The input and co-operation of those behind the scenes is praiseworthy and noted in the success of the event.

People from the town and hinterland came with an open mind to hear about Aonach ar Siúl from Donal Quinn, the club chairman, and to learn of the variety of hillwalking  tracks and trails in our local hills and farther away, and to pick up a membership form, perhaps, or to know how to join online from the club website - www.nenaghwalk.ie - or to visit the other stands about the Camino, manned by experienced walkers of The Way.

Jim McNicholas and his entourage came well-prepared with slides and anecdotes, guidebooks and leaflets as Michael Walsh spoke with the sense of fun and enthusiasm that can only come with personal experience of walking on the pilgrimage path, which is the Camino, to 110 people, who filled the hall. Information was shared on how to go about walking on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the requirements for such an adventure, where to start and where to go and more, all answered with patience and care by people who know the routes, the transport, the accommodation, the things to know before you go to ensure a special experience which can only be yours.

The connection was made with Nenagh Walking Club, as their extensive walking schedule of walks on Sundays. Saturdays, Thursdays and Tuesday evenings, as well as their weekends away to more distant hills, are an excellent preparation for the Camino and a good opportunity for such an undertaking with other Individual members, maybe, who have shared the Camino experience in the good company of one another, yet they are conscious of the opportunity for personal reflections in a private space. Advice is freely given to help anyone, who wishes it, from those in our local hillwalking club who are aware of the needs of others who wish to set out on a new challenge and experience. Now is a good time to join Aonach ar Siúl to get the benefit of club membership, international insurance and to experience many Caminos locally and in Spain.

Polly Ryan, who is a member of the walking club, took to the floor in a way only Polly can, with a smile in her eyes and a lightness of step, in her jigs and reels, in an exhibition of dancing, par excellence. The applause was sustained when Polly won the first prize of a pair of walking boots generously gifted by A Sportsman’s Dream, the premier sportswear shop Nenagh, who also presented 30 or so prizes on the day from their display of walking gear for beginners and for those more experienced. Mary Lumbruso won a prize of a hand-carved walking pole made and presented by Michael Walsh.

Before the assembled group set off on the hill walk, led by Mary Mackey and friends, to one of our beautiful scenic areas, that we are delighted to showcase to friends, in Tountinna on the Arra mountains, so called as it is thought to resemble a hilltop on fire as the sun goes down on the horizon, a poem was recited by Cyril Mc Loughlin of Aonach ar Siúl.

What a wonderful place it was to enjoy such a delightful day with stories and chat, and also a little quiet time, perhaps by some, to engage with their own thoughts. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful scenery from the top of Tountinna at 457m.

Nenagh Lawn Tennis Club, A Sportsman’s Dream, the Camino Society of Ireland and Aonach Ar Siúl can be proud of their co-operation in bringing such an enjoyable and enlightening event to Nenagh. We trust we will do it again.