Community Groups
Summer Solstice Walking Festival
By Brian Hoban, Local Historian Castlebar
6, Jun 2014 - 15:40

Photographed at the launch of the Summer Solstice Walking Festival on the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail are (L to R): Pat McLoughlin, trail guide, Joe Brett, Fundraising Manager, Western Care Association, Mairead Dooley, Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, Sr Maureen Lally, Manager, Tochar Valley Rural Community Network, Jim Henry and Brian Hoban, trail guides. Photograph: John Moylette

                                                              Summer Solstice Walking Festival on the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail

Western Care Association and the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Committee are hosting the inaugural Summer Solstice Walking Festival on Friday, June 20th to Sunday, June 22nd. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a 61km national way-marked walk which begins in Balla, meanders through the unspoilt landscape and rich heritage of central Mayo and ends at the village of Murrisk at the foot of Croagh Patrick on the shores of Clew Bay. It will take three days to complete the entire Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail. Walkers can choose to walk the whole trail over three days or alternatively, take part in one and/or two of the days. Transport will be provided each morning to ferry Walkers from the Meeting point to the Starting point. This means that your personal transport will be at the end of your destination on arrival each day.

Details of the three day walking festival are as follows:

Day 1: Friday, June 20th
8.30am: (sharp) Collection at Car Park beside Corley's Pub Ballintubber
9.00am: Registration at Balla Community Centre Tea/Coffee
09.30am: Commence Walk from Balla to Ballintubber Grade (16 km) Grade - Moderate

Day 2: Saturday, June 21st
08.30am: (sharp) Collection at Aughagower Village Car Park
09.00am: Registration at Ballintubber Community Centre
09.30am: Commence Walk from Ballintubber to Aughagower (25.5 km) Grade - Hard

Day 3: Sunday, June 22nd
08.30am: (sharp) Collection at Murrisk Car Park at the base of Croagh Patrick.
09.00am: Registration at Aughagower Community Centre
09.30am: Commence Walk from Aughagower to Murrisk (19km) Grade - Difficult

This is a guided walk and guides will be available to guide at fast, medium and easy pace. As this is generally a moderate walk, a reasonable level of fitness is required. Proper walking boots and waterproof raingear is essential. Refreshments will be provided at the Start and middle of each day. Teenagers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and no dogs allowed.

Entry Fee is €15 per day and €40 for the three days. Sponsorship Cards are available from the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Office and the Fundraising Department, Western Care Association.                         Online registration is available at www.iregister.ie/summerwalkingfestival

Contact Details:

Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Office: 094 9360891
email: info@croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com
web: www.croaghpatrickheritagetrail.com

Western Care Association: 094 9029136/144
email: fundraiser@westerncare.com
web: www.westerncare.com