Weather-wise Good Friday morning was neither enticing or inviting and not the kind you’d be inclined to go out for a walk in.
A ominous looking sky promised nothing and threatened as much as it could to dissuade the rapidly growing crowd on the old railway yard / Library Car Park as the 11am mark approached.
The threatening didn’t work however, and the crowd grew to its capacity before the off and the trail of walkers headed off up town.
It was the opening movement of a very busy day for Castleisland.
Down at the community centre An Garda Siochána and the local Kerry Community Youth Service were getting their Good Friday Basketball Blitz up and running.
Rosary Procession
Later, in the morning, preparations were being made around the parish office for the Rosary Procession from the presbytery to the parish church from 2:30pm for the solemn service at 3pm.
In the meantime, cyclists in the prime of their health and fitness were pedaling hell for leather around the roads of the locality in the annual Dornan Rás Mumhan and looking forward to a mid-day break.
Break over they mounted at An Ríocht and headed down town and around the Back-of-the Forge and back up on their lap of honour around Castleisland town.
Racing Over The Black Banks
The racing began as they passed the old library and headed over the recently resurfaced Brosna Road and onto the Black Banks before facing more challenges before the stage and the day ended for them in Knocknagoshel Village at around 5:30pm.
And in the midst of all that activity the Kerry Hospice Foundation walkers did their stint and a delighted KHF Chairman Jack Shanahan revealed later that the Castleisland event had raised over €4,000 and that’s likely to be added to over the coming days.
Happy With Hospice Branch Efforts
Jack was very happy with his local branch efforts and the financial result of the walk in spite of the off-putting look of the morning.
Good Friday walks were also held throughout the county on the day in places like: Annascaul/Inch; Ballybunion; Ballyduff; Ballyheigue; Cahersiveen; Castlegregory; Glenbeigh; Kilcummin; Killarney; Killorglin; Listowel; Lixnaw; Milltown/Listry; Spa/Fenit and Tralee.
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