Walking from Mayo to Galway, could be seen as an easy pursuit for residents of border villages like Cong, Leenane or Shrule.

Not so for John Crehan, who’s walking from one county to the next by the circuitous route to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

John is nearing the end of this 42-day challenge which involved walking almost 1,300 kilometres from Mayo to Galway while taking in all 32 counties.

Born to Galway parents in Rickmansworth, north of London, John turned 64 during this journey and celebrated his birthday with a few pints in Broderick’s Bar in Kilconnell near Ballinasloe.

And that’s exactly where he will end up again this Friday around 2pm as he completes the 7km final leg of the walk with a pint of plain in Timmy Broderick’s pub in his late parents’ home village.

When he spoke to the Connacht Tribune on day 34, John was half-way between Newcastle West in County Limerick and Tarbert in County Kerry, and the Kilconnell finish line was fast approaching.

His father, also John, was from the Aughrim and his mother Rita (Nee Kenny), was a native of Kilconnell, the end point of his epic journey.

“I’ve a lot of relations there and spent my summers there – it’s very close to me. That’s why I’m finishing there. I’m friendly with the publican, Timmy Broderick, too,” said John.

Caption: John Crehan…raising funds for and awareness of prostate cancer.

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