Local man completes Camino

Seán writes of walking 115km in five days

A local man has written a blog about his experience of walking a 115km section of the Camino pilgrimage route in five days.

Seán Óg McCarthy took on the challenge this month in order to raise funds for two worthy causes, Cancer Care West and Milford Hospice. He dedicated the challenge to his late wife Rachel, who had for some years wanted to do the Camino – even though a dialysis and cancer patient at the time – but she sadly passed away in 2017.

Originally from Ballina and living in Ballyhane, Birdhill for the last 20 years with his teenage son Jack, Seán decided to set out on the pilgrim path this year to raise a few euros for two charities that his family are forever grateful to for providing care and support. He also decided to document his personal journey by way of a daily blog.

Seán set out on Monday, August 7, three days after his 52nd birthday, walking the ‘French Camino’ from Sarria to Santiago in northern Spain. Averaging more than 20km each day, midday temperatures of 32 degrees added to the strain he felt with each stage of the journey.

On the third day, he wrote: “Mentally it’s getting hard… but thoughts always go to the reason WHY? and everything comes back into perspective…

“So I keep going, and people around you are all taking on their own causes, battles and reasons for walking this part of the Camino!”

The next day was the longest leg of Seán’s Camino, 28.5km. “Feet are beginning to feel under pressure from the long days and I’ve began repairs to help aid/support them,” he wrote.

“Tomorrow will be an emotional day (not that there hasn’t been a few already), thinking of Rachel of course, but also close family, friends and neighbours passed. Also, it’s important that I recognise in my thoughts those close to me each day who have helped in lots of ways throughout the years.”

The Birdhill man delighted in reaching his final destination, Santiago. “Amazing architecture and wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca. As I walk into the narrow streets, you can feel the anticipation from fellows walkers, ‘pilgrims’, hearing the noise of bells ringing out from the Cathedral de Santiago. My heart is filling up and emotions are running high thinking of my reason for this journey and dedicating it to my late wife Rachel.

“Thousands of people are filling the square around the cathedral and I take my place to enter and view this amazing place. Hard to put into words the feelings of undertaking this journey - some days proved extremely tough at times - mentally and physically. It feels like this past week will remain with me for a very long time, with still some elements to process.”

You can read Seán’s full blog at www.surfchefblog.wordpress.com where you will also find a link to his iDonate fundraising page - www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SeanOgCaminoWalk - where almost €2,000 has been raised for the two charities so far.