Mayo man on charity walk to Rome says 'it's a humbling experience'

Swinford man Cathal Kelly is in his way to Rome. One month ago he started his journey in Canterbury along the pilgrimage road 'Via Francigena'. 

"Blue sky, thirty degrees, I cant really complain" says Cathal Kelly, talking to The Mayo News.

"It is in a positive sense, the best way of getting to know the countryside. Walking is the easiest means of transport. I pack my bag in the morning and head off. The countryside is beautiful here in the North of France. The vineyards, you would be walking for miles through the vineyards and then later on sit down enjoy a glass of champagne that was produced in the local region. That's fantastic, a real bonus." 

And a real highlight was Reims, when Cathal arrived there last week: "The history is huge, every king of France was ordained here, stunning view of the cathedral. And there was a hustle and bustle of life that for two or three weeks I wouldn't have experienced. They are very proud of their history here."

"Physically the journey is what I expect, you have the pain, though nothing I haven't been able to manage yet. But in the head, the loneliness is the biggest challenge. You could go days without really having many people to chat."

Cathal explained reaching Reims after three weeks on the road was crucial for him. Enjoying the 'hustle and bustle' of the city, explaining that Reims 'revitalised' him: "I could have stayed for a week, it's a fascinating place."

"It's a once in a lifetime experience" he says and adds "I'm doing this obviously for the charities and I'm always aware of the work they do every day. As we're going about our day, there is people trying to make life easier for people in need."

And the donations are coming in: "I'm not far off from 20,000 Euro which is unreal. And they're coming in every day from all over the world. I was expecting to have a bounce at the beginning and one at the end. But I'm pleasantly surprised, that people are donating their hard earned money for a good cause."

Whoever wants to donate can do it here.

Literally in the 'middle of nowhere'

Language-wise Cathal is getting by: "It's amazing what sign language and an odd word now and there can do. And with modern technology, you can use translation apps."

Interestingly, there have been charming confusions about his name, as it seems some hosts seem to expect seeing someone else with the name 'Kelly': "When they see the booking, they think there is a woman, a 'Mademosielle', focussing for some reason on my surname. I've had a few shocked looks when they opened their door to me" says Cathal laughing.

Describing where he is at the moment, Cathal refers to the village he has just left a while ago: "It translates literally into the middle-of-nowhere." Somewhere in Northern France anyway.

Scars of war

The most prominent feature in villages and town is the war memorial. "You take so much more in when you're walking, you have the time at your hand. You can let your thoughts wander."

Cathal is hugely impressed by the 'scars of war' in Northern France, especially left by World War I: "Every little town has a cemetery of British, French and even German soldiers, and they're all so well kept. They are everywhere. Villages would have pictures up, of what the town was like pre-war and what it is now, they're proud that they have rebuilt it. The first few days you're seeing it, it really hits you, impacts you, after a while they become part of the geography."

"It's truly a humbling experience, especially when you're walking you cannot escape it. With a car you can just drive away. But as a walker you are actually walking on the battlefield, the ground that soldiers walked." 

What's helping him immensely are messages from home: "It's amazing at your lone times, that surprisingly someone from home would contact you, is a great support. We don't realise it enough in our everyday life, how important the little contacts are."

And an intriguing thought has come to Cathal's mind: "If I got a tattoo after this it would be 'keep going' because that's the most common message I get from people messaging me. Many have been reaching out! 'We're behind you!' I cannot overestimate the strength I get from all these messages and calls. That's why I'm so active on social media, it helps."

Soon Cathal will cross over to Switzerland. Then the mighty Alpes will come into view. "That'll be a challenge in itself", admits Cathal. He won't be completely left to his own devices. Friends from home will come and join him for a couple of days. And if anyone is interested in joining Cathal on his journey and walk with him, contact him via the website or on Instagram.

To conclude with Cathal's favourite time of the day: "When you arrive in your accommodation and your host hands you a cold beer."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cathal Kelly (@kellyswalk2rome)