On Saturday 23 June some 29 Ramblers assembled in Buncrana for a lovely 8 mile stroll along the coastal path to Stragill Strand and back. The weather was perfect for a day out in Donegal – warm, dry and sunny. The walk started at the “Amazing Grace” Garden where a number of information boards tell the story of how John Newton, in the aftermath of a terrible storm which drove his ship ashore in Lough Swilly, was moved to pen his famous hymn “Amazing Grace”. The importance of the Crana River for fishing was explained on display boards as the party crossed the river on a picturesque stone bridge. Along the way club members stopped to read plaques placed in memory of townsfolk who had emigrated and become renowned for their success in commerce, politics and philanthropy. The most notable landmark on the path is the memorial to Friar Seamus Hegarty, beheaded in 1711 for celebrating mass in contravention of the Penal Laws. After a couple of miles the path descended to the beach where the party stopped for lunch on rocks overlooking the sea. The walk continued to the end of the strand, with some paddling through the shallows of the in-coming tide. At this point the more energetic continued on for two more miles to Lindford House, while the rest meandered gently back to the ice-cream van in the car park. A memorable afternoon ended with tea, coffee and homemade scones in the Lake of Shadows Hotel in Buncrana.
