The annual Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike was held last Saturday, 5th September, starting in beautiful sunny Kilcrohane, on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, West Cork in the Parish of Kilmocomogue Union. The Sheep’s Head is the headland at the end of the Sheep’s Head peninsula – A European Destination of Excellence – situated between Dunmanus Bay and Bantry Bay, in County Cork.
This was the 6th year of this annual hike. The first was held in 2009 when 90 walkers participated. As the hiking experience has expanded into the different routes of the peninsula, it has grown in organisation and in the number participating each year.
Some of the group of more than 200 walkers on the 2015 Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike in County Cork.
This year more than 220 walkers participated (a massive increase from 164 last year). The County Cork which make up parts of the famous Sheep’s Head Way. Two routes were on offer to last Saturday’s walkers; the high hike brought walkers to the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula on a 16km route, while the lower hike brought walkers from the shoreline up onto the ridge in a 7 km circular route. This year was the largest hill hiking event ever to be organised on the Sheep’s Head Way peninsula to date, and it was the best attended and organised Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike since the event began over 6 years ago.
This amazing day included a vast diversity of people: a range of experienced walkers to beginners, individuals, families, groups, all age groups, and many fitness levels. Many came from all over the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, from County Cork, from the Munster region, from all over Ireland, and some from the UK. Funds were raised for Christian Aid, and everyone enjoyed the day, walking the routes and experiencing the stunning beauty of the peninsula’s landscapes and views.
The Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike event could not happen without the support of a local committee – Margaret Skuce, David Hayward, Sean Coughlan, Caroline and Andrew Coleman – as well as the local communities from the Kilcrohane, Durrus areas, the local Sheep’s Head Way Committee, and the parishioners of Kilmocomogue Union (and its rector Canon Paul Willoughby), whose support has been crucial in the successful organisation and development of this hill hike event over these 6 years.
Over €38,000-00 has being raised to date over these 6 years to support the work of Christian Aid partners throughout the developing world. All the participants are now looking forward to next year Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike on Saturday 3rd September 2016 and invited even more people to join them.
Here is a gallery of photos:
RSS - Posts
