12 June 2026
Last week, the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office embarked on an epic journey around Northern Ireland, taking in all six counties and covering 10 miles in each county over the course of six days. That’s 60 miles in six days across the Province, not bad going for a group fuelled mainly by tea, traybakes, and determination!
The walk was undertaken in aid of two fantastic charities: the Somme Association and the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.
Walking from war memorial to war memorial, the initiative, spearheaded by our very own Head of Office, Alan Murphy, was designed to bring the veterans’ community together while remembering the sacrifice made by thousands of men during the Battle of the Somme. In this 110th anniversary year, it served as a poignant reminder of how men from all backgrounds, all religions, and none, stood shoulder to shoulder in the trenches together.
While reflecting on the sacrifices of the past, the walk also looked forward, helping preserve that memory through education and memorialisation, while also supporting the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, whose life-saving emergency medical care continues to make a real difference across Northern Ireland every single day.
Day One – County Antrim
Our journey began at our home base in Cullybackey, where the Cullybackey Community Partnership very kindly treated us to lunch, tea, and coffee before we set off. Thankfully they fed us well, there were a few worried faces wondering whose idea 60 miles actually was!
As we departed, we were piped along the Main Street by a local piper, passing Buick Memorial School where pupils lined the gates waving flags and cheering us on. Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone led from the front, high-fiving children through the school gates as we made our way onwards.
The route took us through Ballymena and eventually to Broughshane, where we concluded Day One at the War Memorial. Broughshane Royal British Legion then provided refreshments at the end of the day, a welcome sight for some already slightly weary legs.
County Antrim: completed.
Day Two – County Down
Day Two brought us to County Down, beginning at the Presbyterian Church in Annalong. The church holds a unique connection to the Somme, as one of its former long-serving ministers served during the Battle of the Somme as a padre.
Joined by cadets from Kilkeel High School Combined Cadet Force alongside several veterans, we travelled the coastal route towards Kilkeel, stopping at several memorials along the way, including the memorial to Victoria Cross recipient Robert Hanna.
We finished at Kilkeel War Memorial before being treated to a barbecue by the Veterans Hairtlan Hub at the Schomberg Society. It must be said, the burgers and hot dogs set a standard for the week that was very difficult to beat.
Day Three – County Armagh
County Armagh welcomed us with tea and biscuits at Armagh Royal British Legion before we began our journey towards Portadown.
Unfortunately, this was also the day we met what can only be described as “torrential rain.” Rivers were running down the roads, everyone was absolutely soaked through, and waterproof clothing quickly became more of a suggestion than a solution.
Despite this, morale remained remarkably high, and the group pushed on all the way to Portadown, where we concluded at the War Memorial at 3 p.m.
Portadown Royal British Legion then came to the rescue with a tremendous spread for a group of very soggy veterans who suddenly looked very appreciative of central heating and hot tea.
We were also delighted to be joined by Sharon from Thompson Travel, who kindly sponsored the event T-shirts and walked the entirety of day three with us. Thompson Travel offers bespoke battlefield tours, which tied in perfectly with our Somme initiative.
Day Four – County Fermanagh
Day Four brought us to County Fermanagh, where we began in Brookeborough with a meeting involving the Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sander Jones MP. The Veterans Commissioner, David Johnstone, had the opportunity to update the Minister on the purpose of the walk, the charities being supported, and the wider landscape of the veteran community here in Northern Ireland.
Setting off from Brookeborough, we were joined by UTV’s Paul Clark, who interviewed a number of veterans along with local Veterans Champion Errol Thompson from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council about why they had chosen to take part in the walk.
We were also delighted to receive a fantastic send-off from Brookeborough Primary School, where pupils came out specially to wave flags, cheer us on, and hand out plenty of high fives before we hit the road.
Thankfully, the weather in Fermanagh was reasonably kind to us, although there were still a few downpours along the way just to keep us humble. Walking the main road from Brookeborough to Enniskillen certainly proved challenging at times, but the determination and tenacity of the veterans shone through from start to finish. The Minister for Veterans and People even jumped out of her van to meet and greet veterans on the move, when she spotted us travelling along the roadside, an informal meeting that was greatly appreciated.
As we arrived into Enniskillen, the sun finally broke through and everyone gathered for a final photograph at the War Memorial, a place of deep significance given the tragic Remembrance Day bombing of 1987, an atrocity that remains etched in the memory of so many across Northern Ireland.
Despite the miles, the changing weather, and more than a few sore feet by this stage, spirits remained high and there was a real sense of camaraderie throughout the day. By this point in the week, even the blisters had become part of the team for a few.
Day Five – County Tyrone
Our penultimate day took us from Dungannon to Cookstown, and thankfully the weather finally decided to show us some kindness.
Travelling through the countryside with the Fire Service Training Centre visible in the distance, this was probably our best day weather-wise, a sentence we repeated regularly just in case the rain heard us. The journey was made extra special by Donaghey Primary School coming out especially to wave us on our way past their school
During the walk, UDR veteran Glen Espie spoke outside an Orange Hall that had been the site of the murder of a fellow colleague while off duty. His moving account served as a solemn reminder not only of those who served generations ago, but also of sacrifice much closer to home here in Northern Ireland.
Arriving into Cookstown around school finishing time proved beneficial for our bucket collection efforts, as traffic slowed and the people of County Tyrone showed tremendous generosity and support.
Cookstown Royal British Legion and the Women’s Section then laid on a fantastic spread for us. The Irish stew and apple-and-rhubarb tart were spoken about with near legendary status for the remainder of the week.
We would also like to extend sincere thanks to MUVE, who provided transport support throughout the day for anyone unable to complete the full route. Their support was invaluable throughout the event.
Day Six – County Londonderry
Our final day began in Castlerock at the War Memorial before we travelled onwards through Coleraine and on to Portstewart.
Along the route, we stopped at Brunchit in Coleraine for tea and traybakes, because by this stage, tea and traybakes had effectively become an operational requirement. A huge thanks for this essential fuel stop when it was needed most. The last few miles ensured that morale was high as we approached Portstewart and our piper, to be piped along the promenade to last final war memorial. It was an opportunity for Veterans Commisisoner David Johnstone to thank everyone who had partaken, supported or donated in what was an epic six day challenge, in aid of two fantastic charities, the Somme Association and the Air Ambulance NI.
We would like to thank Portstewart Royal British Legion for the refreshments and hospitality provided at the end of the walk and in conclusion of this venture.
And Finally….
It was a long six days, with sore feet, unpredictable weather, and more than a few aching muscles, but it was also filled with mighty craic, great camaraderie, laughter, reflection, and community spirit.
Most importantly, it brought people together to remember the sacrifices of the past while supporting two incredibly worthwhile causes.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who walked, supported, donated, encouraged us along the roadsides, provided refreshments, or helped behind the scenes in any way.
Your support helped make this a truly memorable occasion, one that we will all remember for many years to come.
Donations will remain open until 1 July 2026. If you would like to donate to this event you can do so here: www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/5826916
