DAWN WALK - Beware! Flying Coffee!

It is hoped to offer several 'dawn walks' for TY pupils on Sundays this year. Bray resident Sean Freney writes his account below of  last Sunday's (very) early morning TY walk up to Bray Head. 

Bray Head - The North Face!

We set out on Sunday morning at 6:45 am for the first TY dawn walk of the year to climb Bray head.

We gathered outside the sports hall, and departed in two cars. Mr. Swift’s was much the smoother.  In-flight banter between fellow Bray local boy Mr. O’Shaughnessy and me was almost competitive. Who knew more about the local businesses past or present, dry cleaners and general practitioners, that sort of thing. In 25 minutes we were at Bray seafront, from where we walked to the base of the hill to start our ascent. Mr. Coldrick told us that it would be a nice morning, but he always does – all was to be revealed...

Brave Mountaineering Souls - we need more of this spirit!

When we got close to the summit he and Mr. O’Shaughnessy had already reached the top. Only as the cross appeared just metres away did we feel the full force of the morning wind. The remaining five of us climbed the almost vertical rock face with great difficulty, and the gale did not aid us in our venture. When we all reached the top we could hardly move and were getting blown about the place.

It was then that Mr. O’Shaughnessy started offering coffee from a flask – we’d arrived at the top and it was time for a treat. The gusts had other ideas. The wind was so strong at his first sip Mr. O’S ended up with milky coffee on his glasses and down his front. When he offered it to others my camera lens took the brunt! He was the first to admit it wasn’t one of his finest ideas! A fellow early morning hiker kindly took a photo of the group.

With a little time to spare we walked for ten minutes along the path that leads to Greystones. Mr. Coldrick befriended a piebald horse but couldn’t persuade Brendan to hop up. 

'Mr. Coldrick befriended a piebald'

We made our descent and drove back to the college in time for breakfast and chapel.

In my opinion it was a great morning, much more productive than staying in bed. On behalf of myself and my three fellow Columbans, I’d like to thank Mr. Swift, Mr. Coldrick and Mr. O’Shaughnessy for accompanying us.