Henry McKean from Newstalk visited Ballybunion last week.
Henry was really impressed with the reception he got in Ballybunion, his first stop on his Camper Van Tour of Ireland. “On the Road again” which was aired on Monday morning on the Pat Kenny hour.
Henry had breakfast at The Marine Hotel, He loved the breakfast and needed it as he hadnt slept much and was hungry. Many thanks to the Marine for having everything ready and wonderfully presented this morning in the beautiful new Pods.
He interviewed Eoin Liston and Ogie Moran first as well as Donal Liston Chairperson of the Ballybunion Community Forum, and they all had breakfast together. When all interviews were over he spent some time in the Pavilion amusement arcade with Eoin and Jennifer Walsh where his son Kit was in his element.
Henry and Donal Liston proceeded to the Seaweed baths where Claire and Gary gave him the Royal treatment. He said that he would spend 10mins max and then go on the Cliff Walk, however 45mins later he emerged relaxed and elated. He spent another 30mins interviewing the Swimming Ladies, Kathy, Maureen, Bridget and a another who gave him a great thumbs up for Ballybunion as they all arrived here and never went home.
The Cliff walk was a buzz with walkers and we stopped at all the highlights and with the view of the Virgin Rock in the background he interviewed Donal while capturing the scenery. They met a few on the way and he chatted with Deirdre and Tommy Walsh for 10min or so.
They then went down onto the Nuns Beach (by rope abseiling, and he can’t stand heights or so he said) when I pointed out a family on the beach with their young child he was encouraged to give it a try.
We got down eventually and he was blown away by its beauty.
They entererd the Smugglers Cave and Donal told him more stories and fables before re-alighting up the cliff face again covered in mud but he was buzzing that he had accomplished a milestone. He has great plans to return again and go to the Nuns beach by Canoe.
They completed the Cliff Walk and he headed back to the camper van in Pierces heading on to Kinsale and Skibereen. Henry was delighted with the reception he got in Ballybunion and wished Donal to thank Joanne Stack in the Tourist Office who made the initial contact and set up the interviews.
Thanks also to Eoin and Ogie, Joanna McCarthy, Derek and his team for breakfast, Eoin and Jennifer, Claire and Gary, the Ballybunion Swimmers and to our Forum for facilitating the whole trip.