On Thursday 14th March, the Amblers assembled at the National Maritime College, for a most interesting walk led by Angela Foley. Although we were greeted by a downpour, we adopted the motto that there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing!
Angela led us up to Loughbeg, where we saluted the manufacturers of replacement hips at De Puy, hoping we would never need their services, but comforted by the knowledge that spare parts are locally available!
Ambling along, we took a secret delight in passing Ringaskiddy N.S. leaving the torch in the capable hands of the staff within. A little further along the road we came to Tobar Lic. A restful pause can be taken here, while remembering some locals who loved to pass this way.
Angela told us the story of Castle Warren, which we passed a short while later.
Our walk took us back to Ringaskiddy village where we stopped to visit the beautiful oratory. This building which dates from 1923 has been beautifully renovated. The altar itself has been carved from a 250 year old section of sweet chestnut. Interestingly, the bell over the oratory door was salvaged from RMS Celtic in 1933.
Our walk took us back to our starting point, from where we proceeded to Rocky Island, better known today as The Island Crematorium. Angela had done her research and was able to tell us the history of the vaulted building on the island, which served as a gunpowder store in the years before Irish independence.
We enjoyed viewing Cork Harbour from aspects which we hadn’t previously encountered.
After a bracing walk back to Ringaskiddy, we were welcomed at the N.M.C.I, where we enjoyed a tasty lunch.
