Patricia’s charity hike to Croke Park in memory of late husband

Patricia’s charity hike to Croke Park in memory of late husband

19 June 2019

IT was an emotional moment when Downpatrick woman Patricia Watterson walked into Croke Park, the home of Gaelic games.

Flanked by fellow walker Francie Morgan, the former schoolteacher was welcomed by three of her sons to the place that her late husband Pat hailed as hallowed ground.

While she had just finished walking nearly 130 miles from Kilclief GAC, she and her sons flew the club flag high as they savoured the moment.

Patricia’s thoughts were only of pride and relief knowing that her husband would have been so proud of her efforts.

A former long distance walker of note, she walked to honour her husband’s lifelong love of and contribution to Gaelic sports, as well as raising money for Cancer Research UK.

“What started out as just a passing idea became a compulsion to me,” Patricia told the Recorder.

“I just knew I had to do it and I honestly believe that this all happened because Pat also wanted me to do it.

“It was much more difficult than I thought it would be. There was appalling weather and even though we took the old Dublin Road to avoid the traffic, we discovered lorries and trucks still use the road in order not to pay tolls.

“They would have rushed by us and caused an absolute tsunami of rain water to come over us so that we were drenched. I really need to pay tribute to Francie Morgan who walked with me as I think if he hadn’t not have been there I may have given up on occasions.”

Patricia left Kilclief on May 26 and arrived at Croke Park on June 5, well in time to be home for the first anniversary of her husband’s death on June 16 at the age of 79.

The family were treated to great hospitality at Croke Park and Patricia’s walk is to highlighted by officials in upcoming publications.

Patricia and Francie walked every day and were driven back home to Downpatrick before being picked up the following day and left to the spot where they had left the previous day.

“The furtherest we walked in one day was over 12 miles and we needed to be brought back home as the guest houses were so expensive along the way,” said Patricia.

“I cannot but thank a small but dedicated group of people who helped drive us and collect us and provided lunches and sandwiches.

“Francie’s wife Patricia walked one day with us and we had lifts and help from Ann Halpin, Elizabeth Marsh, Kathleen McKenny, Nuala Carey, Jill Pepperall and Ita Jennings. I would really like to thank them all for their help and support.”

Pat, a former principal of St Malachy’s Primary School in Kilclief, died from bowel cancer last year, having recovered from leukaemia six years earlier.

The couple, who have five sons and two daughters, would have celebrated being married 50 years on May 28.

“I really wanted to do something that was connected to him and the two places closest to his heart were Kilclief, where he was on the club committee for years, and of course Croke Park. He would have been there at the of a hat,” said Patricia.

“I wanted to raise money for Cancer Research UK as the charity invests so much money into research and drug trials. We credit Pat going on a drug trial for giving him back his life after he developed leukaemia. It really was miraculous but unfortunately then he developed bowel cancer.”

She has so far raised well over £12,000 and money is still coming in.

Patricia also received a great send-off from Kilclief and she would like to thank all associated with the club for helping her.

“Pat was devoted to Gaelic games all his life and I just felt this compulsion to walk to Croke Park and I really felt him with me all the way,” she added.

If anyone would like to make a donation, there is still some time before the fundraising page is closed. To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/patricia-watterson1.