Ger is tailor-made for Camino walk

NINES times out of 10, when someone dares you to do something, you make your excuses and walk away.

However, when one of Ireland’s top comedians offers the dare, you take notice. That’s what local firefighter Ger Devine (37) did when his friend PJ Gallagher dared him to do the El Camino de Santiago (the way of St James) walk from France to Spain wearing a suit, tie, hat and carrying a brief case.

Ger, from Clontarf, has been working for Dublin Fire Brigade for the last eight years but also does a bit of stand-up comedy, and Gallagher is an old friend and neighbour.

“I had told PJ I was doing the walk and he said it would be fun to do it in a suit,

? Ger told Northside People.

“It became a bit of dare and I accepted it.

?

Louis Copeland donated the suit, and Ger set off on the walk which was approximately 950 kilometres long. His aim was to walk an average of 40 kilometres a day and he achieved the feat in 23 days.

Ger’s unusual attire for a walk in sweltering heat – with temperatures ranging from the late 20s to early 30s – posed accommodation difficulties, however.

“Because I was wearing a suit and runners, and looked like a lunatic, I found it hard to get accommodation and had to sleep rough some nights,

? he said.

“I had no sleeping bag because I couldn’t fit it in the briefcase. Some of the Spanish newspapers wrote articles about me when they became aware of what I was doing.

?

Ger, who is currently based at Tara Street having worked for seven years at Finglas Fire Station, said he met some great people on his energy-sapping journey.

“My best memories were of being in the company of the Irish,

? he said.

“Overall, it was a great experience and I’m very grateful to my friends and family for all their support.

?

When Ger is fully recovered from his experience – and the blisters have healed – he is planning to do a charity cycle with PJ Gallagher. It will be interesting to see what the attire is for that one!