Episode 4 – Cathy Kelly
Cathy Kelly is published around the world, with millions of books in print. Cathy is the bestselling author of Between Sisters, Secrets of a Happy Marriage, and The Year That Changed Everything, and is a No.1 bestseller in the UK, Ireland and Australia. Her trademark is warm and witty Irish storytelling about modern life, always with an uplifting message, a sense of community and strong female characters at the heart.
She lives with her family and three dogs in County Wicklow, Ireland. She is also an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland, raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDS.
Cathy’s love of the outdoors and love of hiking, made her a natural presenter for this episode which closes this series of Tracks and trails in Co. Kerry. There is a reason Kerry is called The Kingdom, as Cathy takes to two majestic parts of the county to conquer beautiful trails. On stunning and across contrasting landscapes, it lives up to its title and will inspire us all to discover Kerry.
Part 1
Cathy’s episode starts with a 15km walk from the pretty village of Ventry in Co. Kerry. Cathy gets into her stride by hitting the long open beach section, which is the smoothest and flattest part of this walk.
After completing a road section, she turns to begin the gentle ascent of Slea Head which runs parallel to Slea Head Drive. The change of terrain here is also a change of scenery and the views open to reveal stunning views across to Valentia Island with Skellig Michael in the distance. Along this section of narrow grassland paths, Cathy meets Liadain Slattery, who is the trails officer for this region, for a wander and a chat while soaking up the views in front of them. Leaving Liadain behind, Cathy continues above the rocky coastline to the top of Slea Head to the high point of this trail where the Blasket Islands, Coumeenole Beach and the vast Atlantic Ocean are spread out far below. Cathy then begins her descent to the final road section before turning towards Dunquin Harbour. Before she reaches this famous harbour and the end of her walk, she stops to talk to Lorcán Ó Cinnéide who is a local historian and manager of the Blasket Centre closeby. Lorcán and Cathy chat about the history of the Blasket Islands and in particular hear of the many fellow Irish writers who once lived there.
Part 2
Cathy’s second walk is a 12km hike from Torc Waterfall in Killarney, Co. Kerry through Killarney National Park as far as Lord Brandon’s Cottage and back to Ross Castle by boat.
Many people will drive this route around the famous lakes of Killarney but this route on foot will bring the hiker and the viewer up close to experience Kerry in a way that is only possible by slowing down, putting on the hiking boots and breathing in the surroundings. Before Cathy even gets started on her hike, she comes to Torc Waterfall which stops people in their tracks with its beauty and power. Having taken a moment to take it all in, she moves on to start her walk above the waterfall on the Old Kenmare Road. This pretty pathway cuts through the valley between the hills and mountains which make the Kerry skyline so famous. It is along here that Cathy walks for a while with Kerry native Louise Galvin, (Louise is an International rugby player at both 7s & 15s, International basketball player and Kerry Footballer). As a physiotherapist with an MSc in Sports & Exercise, Louise advocates hiking as a way for young women to get outside to socialise and exercise in a healthy way together. They part ways at the bottom of Torc Mountain, as valleys and mountain ranges come into view on either side. Cathy reaches the Cascade Falls and Mucky Glen before arriving at Derrycunninhy Church. For the last walking section of this route, Cathy will hike along the Old Mass Path arriving at Lord Brandon’s Cottage. For the last part of the show, Cathy travels by boat through the lakes of Killarney enjoying the banter and stories of Donal “Dux ” O’ Donoghue. Before they reach the end of the lake, they stop off for a wander around the ruins of Inishfallen before finally arriving back at Ross Castle. There is a wonderful feeling to this show, the combination of Cathy’s gentle, warm nature and the magnificence of the scenery on these two contrasting trails, will leave you with a smile on your face.
SERIES OVERVIEW
Tracks and Trails returns for its tenth season with four very different programmes covering trails in Co. Kerry, Northern Ireland, Co. Wicklow and around Lough Derg in 3 counties; Co. Clare, Co. Tipperary and Co. Galway. Our four presenters travel by foot, by bike and by boat.
Completing trails on mountains, hills, through forests, meadows, parklands and cities across lakes and down rivers, in this series, four presenters once again get out on the most beautiful, quiet and under explored trails in Ireland and meet some great people along their journeys. As always with Tracks and Trails, there is an emphasis on the benefits of getting outside and into nature for our mental and physical health, and the importance of sharing and appreciating the nature that surrounds us that we are so lucky to have in abundance in Ireland.
This season, viewers are taken along trails that showcase Ireland at its most beautiful with a chance to explore some of the many walking and Blueway trails on offer for the outdoor visitor in the counties around Lough Derg (Darren Frehill). There is also an easy urban trail by bike from Titanic Quarter in Belfast along the River Lagan (Rory O’ Connor) and then for something totally different to a mountain trail for a hike steeped lyrical mysticism on Slieve Gullion outside Newry, to the winding, mystical forest and pilgrim trails of Co. Wicklow, (Roz Purcell); to heart stopping views of the Blasket Islands and the soaring majesty of the mountains on the lakes in Killarney, (Cathy Kelly ) In this series there is something for every level of hiker or visitor.