Castlebar - County Mayo - 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, front l-r; Chloe McDonagh, Ciara Fayre, Nicole Fayre and Niamh Kelly. Back Fiona Kelly and Priscilla Fayre. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Spring sunshine, snowdrops, a few early daffodils and a bracing wind greeted the 270 plus participants who turned out to participate in the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park. The local GAA club (Parke Keelogues Crimlin) continue to partner with Mayo Mental Health Association & The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park to host this unique event which starts from and finishes within the beautifully manicured grounds of Turlough House.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Lauren Connaughton all wrapped up for the walk. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

The course loops around the village of Turlough passing the famous old Round Tower and includes three testing hills before descending into the village on the last kilometre back into Turlough Park.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, a group from Turlough, front Lily McGrath and Louise Conway, back l-r; Ramona McGrath, Declan McGrath and Eleanor Conway. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Local man & pride of the parish John Byrne (Mayo AC) made all of the running from the outset. He led the field home in an impressive time of 26.30. John was followed in by Thomas Devaney (Castlebar AC) 27.24. Thomas is a gifted young runner with a bright future and running in the slip stream of the great John Byrne can only aid positively in his ongoing development and the realisation of his undoubted talent. The 3rd man home was Ballyvary native Cathal McHale 28.19 who is an improving force and has many more good days to look forward to as well.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Grace Neary all wrapped up for the walk. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

1st of the ladies home was the redoubtable Collette Tuohy (Mayo AC) in 32.57. Collette has not had the opportunity to train as much as she would like to in the recent past but she showed all of the grit and determination that makes her the fantastic competitor that she is - making it a straight 4 from 4 in the Turlough event for her.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, l-r; Leah, Odhran, Martina and Clodagh Cloherty. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Collette was followed in by Marian O' Malley (Westport AC) in an impressive 33.38 and Michelle Needham garnered further honours for Westport AC by claiming the 3rd spot in 34.01

Monica Joyce (Mayo AC) continued her impressive form by claiming 1st in the female over 50s category in an eye catching time of 37.34

Tom O' Toole claimed the male over 50s prize with an excellent time of 32.14

The 1st female U 16 home was local girl Brianna McGhee in a time of 41.57

The 1st male U 16 past the post was another local boy Jake O Brien 33.12

Both Brianna and Jake are enthusiastic members of the local GAA club and they received a rousing reception when the results were announced.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, a group of ladies from Turlough l-r; Taylor Flynn, Sharon Flynn, Mia Conway, Shirley Conway, Una Callaghan and Ann Conway. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

The Chairman of Mayo Mental Health Association Mr. PJ Murphy had a very positive message for all gathered in the marquee enjoying the post-race fare. Synergies of the kind created by the coming together of Athletic Clubs, GAA clubs and Mayo Mental Health Association are a dynamic way of delivering the important messages surrounding the significance of maintaining positive mental health.

Roll on the 11th February 2018.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, PJ Murphy, Chairman of Mayo Mental Health Association getting ready for the start of the 8K . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, a group of ladies from Breaffy and Castlebar l-r; Lily Gormally, Eilish Lawless, Collette McTigue and Linda Kray . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, l-r; Brian Derrig, Mick Shaw, Monica Joyce, James Murtagh and Aileen Shaw. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Karen Devaney and Barbara Ronayne waiting at the finish line. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Collette Tuohy, Mayo AC first lady over the line . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Marian O’Malley and Michelle Needham from Westport AC who came 2nd & 3rd respectively . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, first over the line John Byrne , Mayo AC . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, PJ Murphy, Chairman of Mayo Mental Health Association cuts the ribbon for the start of the 8K . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, PJ Murphy, Chairman of Mayo Mental Health Association addressing everyone who had gathered in the marquee after the race. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, winners and runners up, front l-r; Brianna McGhee (under 16 girls winner), Michelle Needham (3rd ladies), Collette Tuohy (winner ladies), Marian O’Malley (2nd ladies) and Monica Joyce (1st ladies over 50’s). Back L-r; Niall Dunne, Development officer MMHA , PJ Murphy, Chairman of Mayo Mental Health Association, Tom O’Toole (1st male over 50’s), Cathal McHale, (3rd male), Thomas Devaney(2nd male), John Byrne (winner male), Michael Moran Chairman of Parke GAA club, Patrick Dunne and Frank Cloherty, Chairman Organising Committee. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017. Missing from the photo Jake O’Malley (under 16’s male winner)

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, members of Parke GAA and volunteers who helped to make the event a success. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Frank Cloherty Chairman of the organising committee thanking everyone involved in helping to make the event a success. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.

Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA club in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association & the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park hosted the 5th annual Turlough 8 K at Turlough Park, Monica & Finian Joyce enjoying refreshments after the race . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2017.