Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is open for business in Co Mayo. FRANCIS BRADLEYputs it through its paces
CROAGH PATRICK HERITAGE TRAIL is a new one for the books, with 60km over mixed terrain – nothing too steep and nothing too difficult, but 60km all the same.
Okay, this was spread over the three days of the weekend preceding St Patrick’s Day. I was invited to join the inauguration of this trail and take in any or all of the sections.
I visited on the first day, for the longest section, starting in Balla (pronounced Bal), in the boggy plains of central Mayo. This waymarked section meanders in a westerly direction for 25km to the village of Killavally (pronounced Killawalla – no Australian connection here; it is from the Irish “coill an bhaile”, the wood of the townland).
The trail passes through mature woodland and across rolling fields and raised bog, using boreens and ancient paths along the way. More than 70 people participated on the first day, and everybody enjoyed the hospitality and enthusiasm of the organisers.
From Balla we passed through Clogher and Ballintubber, stopping at Tuffy’s pub (strategically placed, I might add) for a cup of tea and a sandwich before eventually arriving in Killavalla.
A 25km walk is no mean feat; other participants were going to complete the remaining 36km over the following two days. The next section finished in Aghagower on Sunday; the following day the walk finished in Murrisk, including a high point of 310m in the foothills of Croagh Patrick.
The walkers are not the only people who should receive congratulations. The trail was created by Tóchar Valley Rural Community Network in association with local landowners, and developed in partnership with South West Mayo Development, local rural social schemes, Mayo County Council, Mayo VEC, Fás, Fáilte Ireland, Gnó Mhaigh Eo National Trails Office, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Michigan State University.
This is an accredited national waymarked trail and is part of a countrywide network of walks. Since 1989 Sr Maureen Lally has been a driving force behind this project, and the hope is that, as the trail develops, villages along the way will derive some economic benefit from walking tourism.
Also, the success of this project required the co-operation and participation of 56 landowners in allowing access through their lands. The logistics are staggering: Tóchar Valley Rural Community Network proved it can be done.
Finally, what capped off a great weekend in the west was that we were guests of the Westport Plaza Hotel, which invited us to sample its Spa Sula. It is far from Spa Sulas and the like that this curmudgeonly mountaineer was brought up.
The thermal suite with foot spas and rock saunas, salt grotto and lifestyle showers – I’m sorry, lads: I’ve discovered a new world. And then the grand finale: a massage – my first but not my last.
So maybe the days of a few pints in the nearest hostelry as a post-walk relaxation are numbered. As that guy with pecs the size of mountains and not a chest hair in sight said: “I’ll be back.”
Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
Start and finishThe trail starts in Balla and finishes in Murrisk.
DistanceThe trail is 60km overall. The first section, as described, is 25km. Section two, from Killavally to Aghagower, is 16km. Section three, from Aghagower to Murrisk, is 20km.
TimeFive or six hours for the first section.
MapsUnfortunately, you will need sheets 30, 31 and 38 of Ordnance Survey Ireland's Discovery Series.
SuitabilityFor all ages, although this is a long walk, so the unfit and very young will suffer. Obey the signs and don't enter fenced-off areas. Know how to read a map and use a compass. Refreshments and accommodation Plenty of choice in Balla, Bellacarra, Killavalla, Aghagower and Murrisk.
InformationTóchar Valley Rural Community Network (094-9366709 or tocharvalley@eircom.net).