conor’s Epic charity voyage!!!

It was a very noble challenge and an epic journey where the popular (Donegal Archer) Conor O’ Connor aimed to raise €5000 or more for Solace Cancer Care Donegal.

The challenge was to canoe from Ballyshannon County Donegal to Ballyhack County Wexford, camping along the way, and this journey of almost 500 kilometres (480 to be exact) would take the bones of a month to complete.

Here Conor tells us more…

What was your motivation behind this venture?

It was something I thought would be great thing to try/do so while I still have my health and somewhat fit I decided to give it a go. The charity hits home with nearly everybody nowadays.

How did you plot your journey Conor?

It was a matter of buying the maps and working it out kilometre by kilometre. Had most of the camping gear anyway. Needed a decent sleeping system though as it was still really cold for time off year. Also Youtube and Google maps were great help for researching.

And do you own the canoe?

Canoe I’ve owned for 15 years or more. It’s an Oldtown 147 guide. Called “Eas”(Irish for waterfall).

I know you finished in beautiful sunshine but I believe the first portion of your journey was wet and miserable…

The first 12 days was nothing but wind and rain. No matter what way I turned the wind seemed to be in my face and the current was against me. I was in The Shannon by the time the sun appeared out from behind the clouds. In the first two weeks I was grounded on two different occasions by either highwinds or rain or both. If I could paddle safely I just kept the head down and kept going. The later was much less grief in the dry. Did not have to worry about setting up the tarp or lighting a fire to dry stuff. And I could use my camera again. A few mornings below 0 but at least the sun was up by 8 or 9am. The last week was dry and hot. Factor 50 territory. Although I was using sunscreen all along.

Did you have any setbacks along the way?

Not as such. Minor things, left a water flask on one island and a life preserver/ life jacket on another. But I had a spare better personal flotation device.

And Conor, was it lonely?

Of course, I missed my family. The start wasn’t so bad as I was so tired by the time camp was setup and dinner made, cleaned up I was ready for bed. Bed early rise early. Phone signal was very poor in the beginning being out on islands so I could not use phone to great effect. It wasn’t until I got to Ballyconnell before I started meeting people again. I was never too far from civilisation at any stage.

Were you nervous about any element of your journey?

I was a bit apprehensive about the big lakes and how quickly they could change from calm to not calm anymore and have to sit it out and possibly for days. Also the raw power of the tides of the Barrow estuary.

Any health concerns along the way Conor?

No Andrew. Felt well, cold at times but in the main fairly fit.

Any funny stories?

Apart from loosing my stuff. Took a wrong turn and nearly ending up in Belturbet instead of Ballyconnell.

Oh no ha ha.

Highlights of the trip?

Having my kids join me @ Carlow for a couple fo days paddling and of coarse the scenery. The bird song in morning and evening throughout the journey was pretty special.

Wah, not me creepily shadowing you from the shoreline on the final day?

Did you meet any interesting characters on your journey??

A few people, the lock keepers in particular who do a fabulous job and try to help me in anyway, could tell some of the history behind the canals and locks.

How did you feel when you rounded the last bend and Ballyhack came into view?

I was quite enjoying the run down with the tide (@ 4knots) after the power station I was surprised how quickly I had made it that far and it was soon gonna be all over. Just stay away from the crossing Ballyhack ferry.

As you put a lot of thought and planning into this trip, and it will last long in your memory were you somewhat sad to finish up?

Yes it was a bitter/sweet moment. Might have been different if it had been windy and wet.

Any more adventures on the horizon?

Nothing as yet. It’s back to shooting arrows again I guess.

Were you relieved to surpass your fundraising target? ( with more donations to come in hopefully)

Yes it’s gonna go a little way on a long road for some.

Well Conor, personally on behalf of myself, TIFAM and all your fellow archery friends, congrats on this fantastic achievement. You will have made a difference for many people in Solace Cancer Care. And a big thanks to all who donated to this very worthy cause.