Band rekindles friendship in Limerick - before rocking the Wild Atlantic Way!
German national stops off in Limerick during mammoth expedition along Ireland's west coast
A GERMAN national who is walking the entire length of the Wild Atlantic Way stopped off in Limerick.
Sebastian Band, who hails from Cologne, is bidding to trek the more than 2,500km coastal route, which stretches from Kinsale in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal.
Prior to starting the route, he met Caherdavin man Seoirse Laffan and his partner Mairead at a summer solstice festival on Sherkin Island.
And they linked up in Limerick, after Sebastian had completed the Cork and Kerry legs of the Wild Atlantic Way.
The 46-year-old is taking a career break from his job as a nuclear safety engineer, and needed some head space following a break-up.
“I was not in a happy mood. But I find usually if you are walking, your feet are busy, but your mind is completely free. So you can do a lot of thinking,” Sebastian explained.
“I wanted to look for a long-distance walk in Europe. One of the first things I found was the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. I love it here. The people are so friendly, and the landscape is marvellous.”
Sebastian has had type one diabetes since the age of three, which means he has to make extra preparations when taking part in long distance walks.
He said: “I have to take care that my insulin does not get too hot. Before I started, I spoke with my doctor. She was able to get me prescriptions on a European basis, so if something would happen, I could pick some up from the chemist.”
Sebastian joined Seoirse in Limerick in time to watch the All Ireland senior hurling final - his first experience of the sport.
“I’m not very much into soccer because I think it’s a little bit boring. But this is great. It was so fast-paced. Incredible,” he enthused.