Our first lunch stop is at Clonsilla, about ten miles on. We arrive in ones and twos; differing fitness levels mean that we are now strung out for nearly a mile of canal bank. Some walkers just beginning to realise what they have taken on – 175 miles to go. Martin dispensed sandwiches and tea from the camper van and arranges to meet us at Maynooth for a water stop.

We finally stumble into Kilcock at half past four, twenty miles done and ready for hot baths. The bus delivers us to Maynooth and our hotel, and after dinner everyone retires for an early night.

Day 2, Sunday. The bus drops us to Kilcock and we head off quickly westwards. Martin is waiting at the Old Bog Road with tea, and later at Moyvalley with lunch which we enjoy by the canal bank. At Hill of Down Frances and Peter throw open their home to us and provide tea and lots of home-made brack, giving us the boost we need to finish strongly at Thomastown harbour. Another 20 miles behind us and we sup drinks on the pub's canal-side terrace. The late finishers are clapped and cheered home. At the Mullingar park Hotel dinner is a lively affair, we are getting to know each other now and the conversation flows freely.

Day 3, Monday. Bus back to Thomastown, then follow the canal back up by the eight rising locks of the Killucan Flight to the summit level. Lunchtime picnic a couple of miles past Mullingar at Kilpatrick Bridge, it is tempting to linger in the warm sunshine but we have ten miles more to cover to Ballynacargy to complete the longest day so far. Ciaran, one of the stronger walkers, has had to cry off with severe blisters.

A few nice drinks in a friendly pub in Ballynacargy and the ever-patient Colman buses us back to Mullingar to another lively dinner and a few late drinks in the bar.

Day 4, Tuesday. Headed out through the bog and enjoyed a memorable tea-break in the beautiful village of Abbeyshrule. Martin in the camper van is getting better all the time, supplying loads of chocolate biscuits and blister plasters in equal measure. We meet him later in Ballybrannigan Harbour to demolish the packed lunches, then onwards to Mosstown. Only 18 miles today, no bother to us. Some of the people who were struggling are finding form, getting stronger and starting to enjoy themselves. Colman takes us to the Hodson Bay hotel, which will be home for two nights.

Day 5, Wednesday. Only ten miles to the end of the canal at Clondara, we will be on tarmac from now on. Lunch date with the camper van in Termonbarry, we are now in Connaught and almost half way to the coast, 90 miles behind us. Harry retires to the camper van; he had arranged to only walk the Royal Canal Way and will be leaving us tomorrow. The rest of us set off to walk the nine miles of back roads to Strokestown and we meet for a drink in a friendly pub on the main street. That night at dinner Harry makes a moving farewell speech; we are going to miss "the old dog for the hard road."

Day 6. Thursday. Colman drops us in Strokestown and we set off again; this is going to be our toughest day at 26 miles. Lunch is in a wet Ballinameen, enlivened by a visit from a photographer from a local newspaper. We dodge showers as we progress towards Clooncunny and Lough Gara, the home of the original four Flannerys on whose life story the walk is based. A good number of local people come out to meet us and to donate money; they have been following our journey on the local radio stations that have been calling us daily for progress reports. We stumble wearily into Monasteraden for a welcome drink before Colman delivers us to Sligo for a very late dinner.

Day 7, Friday. This is our "rest-day", just a short 17 miles through beautiful back roads to Charlestown. We have time to stroll and admire the view to the South towards Ballaghadreen; at the tea break at Laragan Hill some of the walkers celebrate the beauty of the view from the high ground by breaking into an impromptu verse of "Edelweiss". Later, west of Carracastle, Martin parks the camper van by the roadside to await our arrival and a farmer invites him to park in the farmyard and provides straw bales for seating; this is one of our most pleasant lunch stops to date. Later, Knock House Hotel provides excellent accommodation and food, although maybe it's just a little quiet for the happy hikers.

Day 8, Saturday. We are down to 16 now; the road has taken its toll. Everyone remaining is now sure that they can do it; it is just 40 miles to the coast.  Our Route towards Foxford takes us through beautiful countryside, on small quiet lanes with no traffic. We lunch at Teampall Maol and quickly get moving again; Healy's pub in Pontoon beckons and the rain has started again. A short bus ride takes us to the Downhill Hotel in Ballina, and to one of the most enjoyable dinners to date. Nothing can stop us now!

Day 9, Sunday. High spirits as we set off in the rain from Pontoon. By the time we turn off on the side road by Lake Levally the sky has cleared and the view back over Lough Conn is stunning. We divert along the tiny gravelled bog road with the Nephins filling the horizon as we head for Glenhest. Euphoria at getting this far, along with the beauty of the landscape, has some people singing out loud.


We stop briefly at Glenhest for lunch, then on to Joe and Pauline McDermott's house in Skerdagh to regroup so that we can walk in to Newport together. On the outskirts we are met by Councillor Frank Chambers who walks the last mile with us and makes a rousing welcome speech outside the Granuaile Bar.

It was a tough challenge, a long week when everybody had one bad day and doubted their ability to finish the trek. Would we recommend it? Absolutely, definitely, not to be missed. Would we do it again? Ask us in a year's time, you never know!