The whole adventure had been hatched over a few drinks at New Year and forgotten until a conversation at Easter, at the end of the rugby season. Consequently, a group was formed and the initial meeting in May confirmed everyone's determination to take up this mighty challenge. It also proved what most of the wives believed, that their men just wanted to be boys using their toys!

So what was going to be the driver, which would motivate the team to train hard and see this through? After discussion, it was decided to raise funds for a local charity and Macmillan Cancer Support was chosen to be the beneficiary of our exertions. The local officials were contacted and delighted to accept our offer of support.

The team was further heartened and enthused, by the following very generous offers of support from, Stenaline (Fishguard), Silcox Rentals (Pembroke Dock), Huttons (Chandlers, Pembroke Dock), Westcoast Clothing (Milford Haven), who produced the team shirts, Wisebuys (Pembroke), who provided fruit supplies, Kingswood Engineering (Pembroke Dock) for help with boat transport, and Chris Campbell (Jolly Sailor, Burton) for his generous sponsorship and the sustenance provided on training runs.

Training, throughout June and July, took place on the Cleddau and at various coastal locations, with some of the team taking to the water for their first time in kayaks. The conditions often proved very testing and the team leaders were impressed by the abilities and determination of the novices.

A common question asked by sponsors, had been, why Eire and the Shannon? The answer was comprised of a number of elements; no-one had ever rowed rivers or visited that part of Eire, all wanted to take up the physical challenge and raise funds for Macmillan, and as with all rugby players, everyone just fancied a drop of the fabled 'black stuff' and a taste of that well renowned Irish hospitality.

So what did the challenge entail. The team had set themselves the challenge of rowing 100k from Athlone down the Shannon River, on sit-on kayaks, over three days (ie. July 28-30). Given the normal Irish climate and weather, everyone soon realised the enormity of the task, but everyone remained upbeat and ever-more determined to pick up the gauntlet.

The team comprised of Dr. Peter Jarvis (47, chiropracter), Darren 'Butch' Gilbert (35, present player, civil servant), Geraint 'Jacko' Jackson (24, present player and top carpenter), Richard 'Bomber' Morris (35, former player, farmer), Anthony Price (35, former player and civil servant), Darrell Willington (56, former player and coach, teacher) and Mark Roach (22, present player and mariner).

Wednesday, July 27, saw the team depart from Fishguard in good spirits. The journey provided a further opportunity for the group to bond and discuss their thoughts about the challenge ahead. However, all knew that a night crossing with very little sleep would not be the best preparation.

On arrival in Athlone, camp was pitched at Balyreegan, under the supervision of jolly John the owner, who was astounded by our intended journey. After a well-earned afternoon snooze, a team meeting was called, under Darren's much maligned gazebo, to discuss the timings for the following day. It was decided that we should be up very early, breakfast and start paddling as soon as possible. The team retired to a local hostelry for food and a drop of anaesthetic!

The sounds and smell of bacon cooking on a campfire awakened the team at 6 am, on day one, coffee was distributed and everyone enthusiastically devoured a hearty breakfast. Fully dressed and decamped, the team set off onto Lough Ree at 7.30 am, totally unaware of the immediate problems they would encounter.

Two double and two single kayaks formed our small flotilla. Mark, our tour driver, departed for Shannonbridge, which had been agreed as the place to take lunch. On a reccie the night before, we had met John Ryan a very welcoming publican, who promised us a BBQ on arrival. This crossing point on the Shannon, had in the past been heavily guarded, as evidenced by the Martello tower and garrison buildings.

Lough Ree was very rough, there was none of the usual cruiser traffic and with wind against flow, there were big waves, which made the first stretch tough going for all. The doubles particularly found the conditions treacherous. Finding the actual river course proved problematic, but eventually we set course (thanks to Google maps) and made Athlone bridge by 10 am.

Inevitably, this type of start had stressed the team, but made everyone even more determined, as they rested on the Athlone Rowing Club slip. Five long hours later, at 3 pm, after a few short breaks on the river banks for hydration, a tired team pulled into Shannonbridge, for a very well-earned lunch. John, true to his word, cooked us some scrumptious local burgers and sausages, which were chased down with the local ale, as we eyed this very scenic section of the river.

Despite the duress suffered on this first day, the spirit was good and the team eager to complete the final paddle to Banagher. John's pub held a beautiful secret, as one section was untouched and illustrated what a typical hostelry would have looked like 70 years before.

Reinvigorated by John's fare, the team resumed the journey down a now widening channel. The only complaint from the paddlers focused on the huge reed beds, which lined the river and obscured any scenery. After an unexpectedly long section, there was a hearty cheer as the team entered Banagher's marina, where Mark was taking photographs. Everyone was so glad to walk around on the quay, after a long and pretty boring part of the river.

The team was now in for a real surprise, as the reccie team had organised (through the very helpful Information Centre staff, the night before) for everyone to be billeted at the local priest's manse for the night. On arrival at the local Catholic church, the team was greeted by Father Pierre Pepper outside his very impressive home. We were all welcomed with copious amounts of tea and coffee and this young priest, who was delighted to accommodate us. Being a sportsman himself (he played Gaelic football and golf), he was very impressed by our community spirit and determination to complete this challenge for charity.

After cleaning ourselves up, Father Pierre recommended the team should go to Flynn's, a well renowned local pub/restaurant, to get some hearty Irish food. The place did not disappoint and everyone enjoyed superb food, whilst reflecting on the day's events and discussing the plan for the following day.

After listening to some local music in another bar and meeting some of the other inhabitants of the town, everyone retired to a well-earned rest. Father Pierre, had proved an unusual and very generous host, and his enthusiasm for our venture created a further stimulus for the team.

After another hearty breakfast in the manse, day two saw the team take to the water at 8.30 am. The team started off in good spirits, if a little jaded, after the welcome and generosity of the Father and his parisheners. The intended destination was Kilgarvan Quay, on the eastern shore of the very large and picturesque Lough Derg. The river from Banagher meandered through agricultural land, huge peat bogs, and a number of specially created channels and locks, before ending at Portumna, where the river emptied into the north of the Lough. The team decided to take lunch at Portumna, before resuming the paddle across a thankfully benign Lough. Throughout the journey we had luckily enjoyed the benefit of a breeze on our backs, accompanied by grey, docile skies and no rain!

Meanwhile, Mark (who had enthusiastically embraced his role in the team) was moving ahead to establish camp for the night. We had taken a spare boat, so that he could get in some water time and he relished opportunities to paddle.

Entry to the Lough brought welcome views of the stunning surrounding countryside, a pleasant change from the 'Beryl's and Mike's', as the reeds had become known. For some reason now, the team seemed more relaxed, as evidenced by the increase in banter, despite the distances we still needed to achieve. We were making great progress and a call from Mark to say that he had already pitched camp near some excellent facilities certainly increased the paddle rate.

The landing at Kilgarvan Quay, after another 10 hours on the water, saw a tired but ecstatic team, load up and head back to the campsite at Terryglass, a beautiful little village with its own marina. True to his word, Mark had found a truly lovely spot and arriving in bright sunshine lifted our spirits.

Everyone enjoyed a well-earned brew and snacks, on the very special inscribed memorial granite table, which Mark had covered with our gazebo. (We were later to find out that his camp had caused a stir in the village, as locals thought someone of standing would be landing at this site?).

The public facilities offered excellent showers etc. and after cleaning up we all walked into the village to find a meal to satiate some pretty enormous appetites. Paddy's provided excellent food and we were treated to a few hours of local music and singing. The bar staff were so intrigued and enthusiastic about our venture, they clubbed together to give us some sponsorship (not the first or last time this was to happen). Everyone retired in good spirits despite the aches and pains, which were now numerous, but very much aware that the following day presented the final hurdle to the completion of our goal.

Day three started as day one, as we decamped and enjoyed a hearty breakfast cooked on our stove. The weather again was really benign and the water glass-like, which was great news for those aching bones and muscles.

The team took to the water with renewed vigour, knowing that the day would see us achieve our goal. It was a joy to paddle in such conditions, all of the boats were cutting easily through the water, the scenery was stunning and the humorous banter between team-mates incessant. Distances seemed to be covered more easily and it was evident that the whole team was very keen to reach Garkennedy, our final destination, as soon as possible.

The Lough was certainly a busy place, with all forms of water-sport evident; but by far the most prominent craft were the hired cruisers, which were constantly on the move during the entire event and evident in large numbers on this day.

After five hours of paddling, we rounded a point and there we saw Garykennedy marina, nestling at the foot of some tree-lined slopes. It seemed a more than suitable place to complete the journey, as we could see the quaint pub, which stood proudly behind the small quayside. Paddling rate noticeably quickened and thoughts began to turn to celebrating the completion of our watery journey.

On landing, there was elation and a palpable sense of achievement and relief, that the paddling was over. Everyone had their aches and pains, but many of these now evaporated as we enjoyed a celebratory drink purchased by one interested villager, who was incredulous that we had carried out such an act in aid of charity.

We all shook hands, congratulated one another and then awaited Mark's arrival. The sight of the bus arriving and Mark's smiling face, was greeted with much joy, by the whole team.

Needless to say, the journey to our well-earned Saturday celebration in Kilkenny was a very quiet one, with everyone reflecting on the events of the last few days, anticipating a great night out in a city renowned for its hospitality and getting some well-earned sleep. Kilkenny did not disappoint. The team celebrated well and retired late after an excellent night's entertainment, in a beautiful, extremely colourful and bustling city centre.

Sunday morning saw a very tired group breakfast, prior to a short and very quiet journey to Wexford. The weekend preceded a Bank Holiday. Consequently, on arrival we were greeted by lots of local music, markets, circus acts, etc., which produced a relaxed, carnival atmosphere along the entire main street, throughout the day. Tour presents for those at home were duly purchased and, after a meal, the bus headed for Rosslare

Boarding the ferry seemed a real anti-climax. We had all seen parts of Eire for the first time. Some vowed to return to have a future holiday, whilst one of the team thought his rowing club would be excited by the challenge of taking a longboat down the length of Lough Derg.

All were relieved to be going home and thoughts now turned to families, a return to work for some, collection of sponsorship and the BBQ on August 12 at the rugby club. Everyone had had a great time and agreed that it would be good to encourage others to repeat such an exercise in the future.

We hope that others in the club will be inspired to create their own challenges in forthcoming years, as it is a great way for the players to put something back into the local community.

The whole team wishes to thank all of their personal sponsors and all of the companies (listed above) for the support, which helped to motivate us to achieve our goal. We hope to have raised £2,000 for the charity, the final amount will be publicised in local papers when handed over to the charity committee.

DARRELL

WILLINGTON