Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
A call from our ancient ancestors as the astronomical calendar gets closer to the shortest day of the year, the Winter Sunday Solstice on The Paps of Anú will take place on Saturday, December, 23, departing at 6.45amwith proceeds this year in aid of Kerry Hospice Foundation’s palliative care unit.
Having a Saturday Solstice will allow people to travel and have time to enjoy the day and the charity walk will be in memory of Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien, who passed away on St Stephen’s Day 2022.
Johnny was the heart and soul of Glenflesk, a caring farmer and wonderful neighbour who lived his life on his own terms. Waving to everyone who passed his house, with a return beep from lorries and locals, he tended to his animals with such compassion and made sure they were safe during storms and floods.
Car-pooling is encouraged on the day with parking at The Kerry Way in Glenflesk, and with the kind permission of local landowners, the walk will depart from Garries Bridge, which is the first bridge after St Agatha’s Church, Glenflesk, at 6.45am.
The long walk in darkness to the summit has two strenuous inclines, leading to the Western Pap at 690m.
At approximately 8.45am the sunrise and the craic will begin with Glenflesk’s finest musicians, Derry and Rosie Healy, setting the pace for a Kerry polka set, followed by a rendition of ‘For these are my Mountains’ which was Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien’s favourite song.
Mountaineer Donie Mulcahy and his crew will guide the walkers to and from the summit.
The ancient sacred summits, The Paps of Anú, resemble a pair of breast-shaped hills known as The Paps in the Derry na Saggart mountains close to the Cork-Kerry border.
The Paps have long been associated with mythology, mysticism and majesty. The Goddess Anú represents all that is earthly, fertile, abundant and protective.
Donations will be collected on the morning of the walk. It is compulsory to wear a head-torch and proper walking boots and rain gear is advised.
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