Edenderry native set for Camino pilgrimage in memory of late brother

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Edenderry native Carmel Darby is set to walk the Camino in memory of her late brother Michael Martin.

Carmel began her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain on Thursday (August 29), accompanied by her lifelong friend Catherine Grace.

Together, the pair have raised €1,150 for the Irish Cancer Society and €17,305 for the Kevin Bell Foundation as of Thursday, August 22.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Carmel said: “What inspired me to do the pilgrimage was my brother. He got cancer eight years ago. He was going through treatment when he lost his son to an asthma attack.”

“We bade farewell to Michael, my only brother, at the age of 64, just one day before his 65th birthday.

“Throughout his journey, he exuded unwavering positivity, often reminding me, 'Carmel, I can either sink or swim, so I’m going to swim,'" she said.

The Edenderry man walked the Camino every year with his group of friends, and Carmel says this is what spurred her on to complete the pilgrimage in his memory.

She said: “My brother spoke so well about it – he did it every year that he wasn't receiving treatment. It just revived him.”

Carmel's friend Catherine, originally from Nenagh but living in New York, is completing the walk in memory of her late brother Pat who passed away on March 2 of this year.

The Kevin Bell Foundation is very dear to both Carmel and Catherine, who say the charity is a great help to families all over the world.

Carmel said the support from her local community has been 'terrific'.

She added: “Everybody has been so good – it's been terrific. I just want to do it now for all those who have cancer. Every family has been touched by cancer, and we're doing this seven day pilgrimage for them.”