Why, at 70, I’m walking 450km to Kinsale

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026 - 13:00

I am taking on an extraordinary fundraising challenge this summer, walking from Donegal Town to Kinsale, Co. Cork, in support of MS Ireland.

I began my walk yesterday, and am due to arrive in Kinsale on August 1, covering more than 450 kilometres across the country.

My route will bring me through towns and communities including Ballyshannon, Grange, Sligo, Coolaney, Curry, Kilkelly, Claremorris, Tuam, Claregalway, Limerick, Charleville, Mallow, Blarney, and Innishannon, before finishing in Kinsale.

I am excited about the challenge, while also recognising the scale of what lies ahead.

I am originally from Dublin, and my daughter lives in Limerick where I stay on my regular visits home.

I turned 70 last year, and currently live in Nerja in Spain, 40 minutes east of Malaga. To train for this challenge, I made use of the mountains and walking routes near my home.

The cause is deeply personal for me. My daughter Laura was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 27. She is now 46 and living a full life, and she has had a child since, but she still experiences the ongoing impact of MS. She gets tired and she has her moments.

I have wanted to do something in support of MS Ireland for some time because of that situation. It’s been something that’s been on my mind to do for this particular cause.

The walk will be a major endurance challenge, and I will be walking for 19 days, with one rest day in Limerick. The hardest part will not be any single day, but getting up each morning and continuing.

It doesn’t sound much, 25 kilometres per day, but the hardest part is doing it every day and getting up again the following morning to do it again. But I will do it.

Tony will be walking for 19 days in all.

I am no stranger to long-distance walking. I previously walked from France to Santiago de Compostela, a journey of more than 800 kilometres, and spent 32 days walking every day.

It was a fantastic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got a lot out of it. I got a lot of peace out of it.

I look upon the Donegal to Kinsale walk as an Irish version of the Camino and it may be my final major adventure.

I want to do this walk. It’s probably my last adventure given my age, so I’m quite happy to do this particular walk as my last big adventure.

I would welcome support from people along the route and anyone who hears about the challenge is welcome to join me for part of the journey.

Anyone indeed that reads about this is welcome to join me.

I am also encouraging people who see me on the road to show their support. Anybody that sees me on the road, beep the horn or indeed join me. They’re more than welcome. I would love that.

I am fundraising directly through MS Ireland’s Enthuse platform and am pleased that donations go straight to the organisation.

I like the idea that I’m not dealing in cash, that the funds are totally transparent. The funds go directly to MS Ireland.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition that affects the central nervous system. More than 11,000 people live with MS in Ireland.

MS Ireland is the only national organisation providing information, advocacy and direct support to people living with MS, their families and carers.

MS Ireland is encouraging people along Tony’s route to support him, share his fundraising page, and donate if they can.

To support Tony’s fundraiser, visit: https://multiplesclerosisofireland.enthuse.com/pf/tony-merrigan

Tony’s route is:

13 July: Donegal Town to Ballyshannon

14 July: Ballyshannon to Grange

15 July: Grange to Sligo

16 July: Sligo to Coolaney

17 July: Coolaney to Curry