Cillian O’Connor needs no introduction to anyone from Mayo or in the world of Gaelic Football. He is the top scorer in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He began playing for his hometown club, Ballintubber, when he was a teenager. Within a year, he made his first county appearance for Mayo, and within 3 years was captain of the Mayo team.
People have praised him for his success in team and individual competitions. He has experienced all that Ireland’s national sport has to offer. But nothing could prepare Cillian for his experience walking the Camino Frances route, one of the world’s most iconic pilgrimages.
We caught up with Cillian after his return from walking the Last 100km of the Camino Frances. Experienced athletes can deal with sore legs. However, did Cillian face mental and spiritual challenges during his journey? Were those challenges as tough as what he experiences on match day?
Thanks for the interview, Cillian. First question: In what ways were walking the Camino de Santiago and competing on the GAA pitch similar?
“You have to have faith! But seriously, I think there are a few similarities. First off, you have to prepare properly for both by getting the right equipment.
Everyone needs a good pair of shoes with ankle support to reduce the risk of injury. Prepare for any of the elements, and get any extra supports you may need.
You’ll know yourself what’s needed to overcome the challenge. You also need to ensure you are properly hydrated and nourished. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and that glass of wine or two in the evening will be all the better!
Being fit obviously helps too. There are some parts of the walk that can be tricky towards the end of a long day. As in [Gaelic] Football, it’s then you need to stay present and not think too far ahead. Just keep going, step by step, and you can do it.”
What inspired you to walk the Camino?
“I had read about the Camino online and thought it would be an interesting experience, something different from your usual long-distance walk. My friends had done the Camino, and that put the idea in my head. My mum, who went on the trip with me, had also dreamed about walking the Camino Frances route for years! It was an easy (but inspired) decision in the end.”
What did you know about the Camino before you travelled?
“Just that it is a well-known religious pilgrimage in Spain. But I didn’t realise how many different Camino routes there were! My mom and I decided to walk the last 100km of the Camino Frances route. We chose to start from Sarria and end in Santiago de Compostela. We made this decision after looking at a map.
Before traveling, I read about the history of the Camino and learned that people believe St. James is buried at our final destination, the Cathedral in the city of Santiago. I was fascinated and excited to see how the lore would reveal itself along the French Way.”
How did you plan your trip?
“We considered planning the trip solo, but we quickly realised it would be more complex than we thought. We had learned about the albergues, and then realised there were paradores on the Camino Frances too—they are luxury hotels often located in buildings of historical importance—and didn’t think either option was right for us. Then, in looking for regular hotels, we realised availability on such a popular Camino route was inconsistent from town to town. And that was before plotting the walk, finding meals, or anything else!”
“So we looked up the best Camino tour operators and contacted Follow the Camino, who took care of everything. I felt it was better to speak with a well-known tour operator who could advise on things like the best travel dates.”
“They helped us find the right option within our timeframe and customised the walking itinerary to our requirements with minimal fuss. Their Camino experts also gave us advice on the best places to stay on the Camino Frances and booked all of our accommodation, which included breakfasts. This was really useful as we wanted to stay in relative comfort to ensure my mum could sleep well each night. Their website was informative, and we could easily access all of our travel documents, like the walking notes from their Client Area.”
What made the Camino such a unique travel experience?
“It’s the history associated with it and the sights you encounter along the way. It’s a truly spectacular part of history captured in a trail that’s also very in harmony with nature.”
“It’s also the number of pilgrims who flock from around the world to complete the Camino and the nature of these people that make it unique. The route was bustling without being too crowded, and we met countless people along the way.
Everybody was in good spirits, all working towards the same goal of reaching Santiago. We met people from all walks of life on the Camino for one reason or another.
It was lovely to build those bonds, knowing that only the journey is important on the Camino. The locals along the route were friendly and helpful too. It really is all about the people.”
Lastly: What advice would you give to people looking to walk the Camino?
“Do your research. Read up on the different routes and see what suits you in terms of time to complete, difficulty, and the best time of year to do it. Once you have packed good walking shoes, pack light with everything else.
Using a good tour operator also takes all the hassle out of planning, so I would recommend getting in touch with one. They can customise your route to make your experience perfect for you. That leaves you free to immerse yourself in self-reflection and bonding with others on The Way.”
Interested in what you can learn by walking the Camino Frances? Reach out to a Camino Planner to discuss the right itinerary for you!
