We are proud to announce our fundraising walk on Saturday November 6th which retraces the journey of the Boys of Kilmichael, from Ahilnane, where they stayed the night before the Ambush, to the Ambush site itself. Along the way there is some beautiful scenery as well as historical sites like the Kenneigh Round Tower and Cahirvagliair Ringfort where Brian Boru was once held captive.
Online registration is now open at the link below. The fee is €10 per person.
Walkers can start from Ahilnane from 10.30 to 12.00, which is an 11km walk, or if they prefer they can complete a shorter walk from Coppeen(6.9km) from 11.30.
You can also register in Cookies Bar in Castletown or Barretts Shop in Coppeen.
Below is some further information about the event.
[1] This event is being organised in line with government public health advice and arrangements will change if public health advice requires us to do so.
[2] Anybody who is showing any covid 19 symptoms should not participate in the walk.
[3] Walkers may walk in groups if they wish, but everybody is asked to ensure that they take precautions on three fronts. [A] Traffic, [B] Covid and [C] Follow steward’s advice.
[4] The first group of walkers will start out from Ahilnane at 10:30 and there will be road signs and stewards to guide walkers along the way. The final group will leave Ahilnane at 12.00.
[5] This is a 11 km walk which sticks as close as possible to the actual route taken by the “The Boys of Kilmichael” on their way to the ambush site in November 1920. The route is mainly on third class roads but there is one short section {.5 km} where the road isn’t surfaced and may be wet and there is another short section {1.4 km} which is the regional road from Enniskeane to Coppeen so participants need to be cognizant of the challenges before undertaking the walk and they should follow stewards’ instructions and advice.
[6] This is not a road race and participants will be asked to abide by normal road etiquette for walkers.
[7] This is a long walk which could take up to three hours so participants have to decide on the appropriateness of the walk for themselves. We will also be offering participants the option of undertaking a shorter version of the walk {6.9 km} starting near Coppeen school. People who opt for the shorter walk will be asked to indicate this at registration and we would recommend it for younger participants or those using pushchairs or wheelchairs. We would ask walkers to assemble at the School car park. The first group will leave Coppeen at 11.30.
[8] Car parking will be available near the starting point at Ahilnane. The ideal arrangement would be that each group would have a designated driver who would drop the participants at Ahilnane and collect them at the end of the walk at Kilmichael. If the driver also wishes to participate in the walk groups can join up and drop one car in Kilmichael and park a second car in Ahilnane. {The car journey could take half an hour and weather will determine whether we will use a field or local farmyards in Ahilnane.}
[9] Registration for this walk will be online and as part of registration participants will be asked to confirm that they’re covid free, indicate the time they plan to start the walk, pay a registration fee of 10 euro and indicate if they’re opting for the shorter version of the walk, give their contact number and an emergency contact number.
[10] The organising committee recommend that each participant bring the following equipment with them; walking shoes, a high visibility jacket, a backpack, rainwear, food and drink for the journey, a face mask for any occasion where social distancing is compromised, and walking sticks. It is very important to have good walking shoes / Hiking boots
[11] It’s important that participants stick to the planned route by following the stewards’ instructions. For clarity purposes the route will also be marked with arrows at each crossroads. Each kilometre will be numbered and this may be useful if participants wish to indicate to friends where they are.
[12] We expect that when participants arrive at the ambush site they will spend a short amount of time there. We ask you to stay off the road and on the pathways for safety reasons and to disperse in a timely manner to avoid the accumulation of a large group of people at the site.
[13] If a walk participant needs to contact the organising committee during the walk, please ring 0872227965 for assistance. Enjoy the walk and stay safe!
