Bluestack Challenge from page 1
The junior members of the group had a competition to see who could pee the most often! Did Aaron Coyle win? The video footage will be available later!
Speaking of video footage - throughout the walk the agile frame of Alice Kelly could be seen clicking her camera, capturing all sorts of interesting moments. Also Neilie O’Donnell was zooming in with his video lens, being air-lifted on occasion by Kelly’s chopper. What a family and what generosity ... jeeps, vans, chopper...
The boots were donned for the hill climb and, although the guide tried hard to frighten us off by telling us how difficult it was, most felt they had the inner reserves to see the walk through in its entirety.
The climb up Silverhill was challenging and testing on those of us with spare parts but, with a modicum of caution and under the watchful eye of guides, injuries were avoided.
As we scaled the heights of Silverhill, the nimble figure of John Burke rose like William Wallace out of the misty highlands. Brandishing a bottle of water, his task for the day was to get the walkers safely over the ‘hill’ and that he certainly did with good humour, agility, and a deft knowledge of every foot of those mountains. The Mountain Rescue appeared throughout like guerilla soldiers ready to pounce should the need arise - thankfully it didn’t.
Once we reached the peak of Silverhill, the view was stunning and, as we sat and absorbed the vista, we all agreed it was worth the effort, the sweat - the few swear words - and ......
But as every walker knows the coming down is often more difficult than the going up and the knee joints were sorely tested as the descent began.
Cooled by the waters of the Eany Beg River, our destination was the windmills at Disert and they definitely were a welcome sight when at last they came into view.
Back into runners and homeward bound along the road. This last part tested our reserves as rumours filtered back that Group A had reached base at Drimarone Centre.
The spirit was still willing though the legs were weak and we bravely completed the course under the care of our Bluestack guides and ‘white faced’ Doctor Austin O’Kennedy. The welcome smell of Marie Breslin’s cuisine greeted us as we marched in unison into the Centre.
Later, after a life-saving massage from Joanne Travers, in the shade of the evening outside O’Neills pub, I thanked God for seeing us all safely through, for the vision of those who conjured up the walk in the first place - and for the generosity of all involved.

Margaret Gallagher was at Bluestack Centre for the finale: The Bluestack Centre in Drimarone was a hive of activity when I arrived around five o’clock. The hall was set up with tables for dinner. Out the back the kitchen staff, under chef Marie Breslin, were busy putting the final touches to a chicken dish with a delicious smelling sauce and veg geared to revive weary arrivals.
Tables were laid out at the entrance for people to just sit and rest their exhausted legs - a massage was available for anyone in trouble. Then around 6 o’clock, a ripple of excitement - around the corner of the church, Group A appeared, to be welcomed by cheering and applause. ‘Las Vegas in the Hills of Donegal’ filled the air - and immediately a former Drimarone (now Ardara) lady broke into dance.
Over the next three hours the other four groups arrived back at the centre to a similar welcome - some looking slightly better than others but all heroes who had completed a very arduous trek on a stunningly hot day.