‘No road long in good company’
‘No road is long when walked in good company’ are the words on a bench the Boherquill Ramblers unveiled in Streete last week to the memory of the late Brian Nerney.
Ramblers and others from the community, including the committee of Streete Parish Park, gathered there to remember Brian, founder and former president of the club, who passed to his eternal rest last October.
Maureen Moreton, chairperson of Boherquill Ramblers, said Brian’s contribution to the club was constant: “We are delighted to be here today, joined by his loving wife Alice, sons Tony and Niall Nerney, his extended family, the local community and the committee of Streete Parish Park to unveil this memorial bench to remember Brian and the immense contribution he has made to his community and, particularly to the walking club.”
Eileen expressed gratitude to Brian and Alice for their foresight and commitment in setting up the club, in days before walking clubs were not as fashionable as they are now.
She recounted the many places the club had travelled to and how Brian would leave no one out, especially those who had no car or way of travelling.
Brian would hire and drive the bus, taking walkers to beautiful places they might never have been or experienced if it were not for his careful planning.
With fondness, Eileen looked back on their weekly walks, in Ireland and abroad, and the annual walking festivals which put Boherquill Ramblers on the map. She remembered the weekends away and a particularly memorable trip to Strangford, County Down, the great friendships made, and marriages and partnerships formed over the last 24 years since the club started.
She also recalled the contributions made by past and present members, and reflected on the work the late Paddy Croghan, a former walks coordinator, did, his dedication to the club and the legacy of the many walking routes he devised.
Also poignantly and fondly remembered on the day were John O’Hara, Teresa Coloe, Oliver Usher, Helen Carey, and other recently deceased former walkers.
Alice Nerney spoke about feeling grateful for her 43 years of marriage to Brian and about his love and commitment to Streete Parish from the beginning.
She described the early days of her and Brian going for a walk out the lane and Brian saying ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we had other interested people like us going for a walk’.
Little did we know how the idea of a small group of local neighbours and friends would evolve to a club that has brought so many wonderful people from far and wide together to enjoy so many wonderful journeys.
Tributes were also paid by club members to Brian’s enthusiasm, leadership and the welcome, experienced by so many, to Boherquill and Streete over the years.
A few short poems were read by members Jean Hynes and Maura Cullen, reflecting the enjoyment of the outdoors, and the appreciation of friendships developed along the way and experienced by so many walkers through the club.
The club expressed gratitude to Kevin Brady and the Streete Parish Park Committee for organising the installation of ‘Brian’s Memorial Bench’ and for the support of that community in acknowledging and remembering Brian.
Alice cut the ribbon and officially unveiled the bench, to reveal a memorial plaque with the words, ‘Remembering Brian Nerney. No road is long when walked in good company’.