by Ronan Casey
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, arguably the world’s greatest living explorer, conquered Mullingar during his visit to the midlands last weekend to officially launch The Explorers Museum, of which he is a patron.
The English adventurer, writer and holder of several endurance records, having battled through the world’s toughest terrains, was the guest of honour at the launch event, which was held at Belvedere House Gardens and Park on Saturday, September 6.
The launch consisted of a VIP-only dinner, after-dinner talk by Sir Ranulph and a spectacular light show upon the Jealous Wall. Also making up an impressive evening at Belvedere was a special tour of the estate conducted by Ruth Illingworth as well as live music. Among the guests were members of the world’s richest family, the Rothschilds, as well as explorers, patrons of exploration, athletes and pioneers in medicine and the arts.
The Explorers Museum itself will be located at Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Co Offaly. However, it and Belvedere are linked via their connections to the pioneering late explorer Sir Charles Howard Bury, who lived at both estates. Bury served as an inspirational figure to Sir Ranulph Fiennes as he began his career exploring, mountain climbing and setting endurance records over 50 years ago.
ALL-ACTION
The all-action hero spoke for some time to Topic, saying he was “most impressed” with Mullingar, particularly the Belvedere estate surrounding Lough Ennell which charmed Bury over a century ago. Sir Ranulph stayed locally at Bloomfield House Hotel and also visited the town. Interestingly, the last known photo of Col Bury taken prior to his passing was outside Bloomfield, when it served as a convent.
As Ennell glistened behind him in fine autumn sunshine on Saturday, Sir Ranulph told Topic he was intrigued by the links of Col. Howard Bury to Belvedere. He was also interested in stories of the late Rex Beaumont, to whom Col Bury left the estate in 1963. Beaumont, a colourful character who was Bury’s companion for many years, himself passed away in 1988.
“I heard many stories about Col Bury so it’s great to be here where he called home,” Sir Ranulph told Topic. As he surveyed the Jealous Wall below, he said it was an “incredible structure” with the story of its construction a “most amusing” one.
He was hopeful the creation of the Explorers Museum in Charleville Castle will inspire others to undertake great endurance feats such as the ones undertaken by him and Col Bury before him. It was his first visit to Westmeath, but he vowed to return one day.
DUFFY DUO
Topic was on hand to introduce Sir Ranulph to local endurance athlete Gerry Duffy and his father Michael. So impressed was Sir Ranulph with the Duffy duo, he asked them to join him for dinner.
A mountain climber, Mountaineering Ireland member and explorer himself for many years, Michael hit it off with Sir Ranulph straight away and the pair chatted for some time about peaks they had both challenged.
Sir Ranulph told Topic he was “blown away” by the achievements of Michael’s son Gerry, who ran 32 marathons in 32 counties in 32 days, and who recently ran the equivalent of four marathons in one day as part of the gruelling ‘Conn 100’ race,
Gerry and Sir Ranulph chatted for some time about their collective endurance feats. Indeed, four months after suffering a near-fatal heart attack, Sir Ranulph ran seven marathons in seven consecutive days on all seven continents and recently, he climbed the North Face of the Eiger and summited Everest in his 60’s. The pair spoke at length, their chat interrupted by the dinner bell.
TOUR
Prior to a gala dinner at Belvedere Sir Ranulph and other guests and dignitaries were given a guided tour of Belvedere House and parts of the estate by local historian and former Councillor Ruth Illingworth.
Speaking to Topic, a breathless Ms Illingworth said it was “an incredible privilege” to give the world’s most famous explorer a tour. Indeed, Ms Illingworth played a key role in getting Fiennes to Belvedere having started negotiations with Explorers Club President Lorie Karnath and Explorers Bureau founder Tim Lavery over a year ago.
She said his witty speech at Belvedere will long be remembered by those present, and she was honoured to hear first hand his stories of sawing off his own fingers, conquering his fear of heights by climbing the world’s tallest mountains, being the first person to reach both poles by surface travel, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis.
