Open invitation to join bishop for emigrant walk on Mayo greenway

A SPECIAL 18km walk, dedicated to fundraising and increasing awareness of the plight of Irish emigrants in London, will take place in Mayo on Saturday, July 8. Funds raised will go to support the seniors project of the Irish Chaplaincy in London.

Bishop of Achonry Paul Dempsey, chairman of the Council for Emigrants of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, will join the walk that will cover the course of a section of the former railway track from Mulranny to Newport, along the greenway.

Said Bishop Dempsey: “Our awareness raising walk is an opportunity to remember so many Irish who left many years ago but also those who have had to leave in more recent times for various reasons. It will be an opportunity to remember them and keep them in prayer.

“All are welcome to join us on our scenic pilgrimage in support of our elderly compatriots living in Britain.”

The chief executive of the Irish Chaplaincy in London, Eddie Gilmore, organiser of the walk, said: “As we have done in recent years, we will be walking again from Mulranny to Newport along the greenway to raise funds for the seniors project of the Irish Chaplaincy, and to raise awareness of the older Irish we support in Britain, whether living alone or in care homes or in prison. All are welcome to join us on July 8 - and our meeting point is in Mulranny at 10.30 a.m.

“This is an open invitation to follow along the path taken by so many Irish emigrants in the past as they departed their homeland, and in many cases never to return.

“We would be most grateful for donations on the day or you can contact me on eddie.gilmore@irishchaplaincy.org.uk.”