Festival Diary The Irish Walking Festival scene continues to flourish, with new events added to the calendar every year. From Achill to Cape Clear, Cooley to Leenane, there’s something for everyone in this year’s Diary. Here’s our guide to the next two months of Festival action, plus reports from two early season events. 53 Degrees North Walking Festival April 11-17
They say: Set to be the biggest and best walking festival this year. Aimed at the seasoned walker through to those starting o, this week long festival will consist of sharing information, enthusiasm and a love for walking in Ireland and abroad. The walking festival starts on Monday April 11th and ends Sunday April 17th. For full details of the festival please visit our website. T: 01 2149352 W: www.53degreesnorth.ie
North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival April 23-24
They say: The 17th Annual North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival is organised by the Manorhamilton based Holey Soles Hill Walking Club. Walks take place on the Saturday and Sunday, over the magical North Leitrim Glens and through the breathtaking unspoilt landscape of this green corner of Ireland. Here, you can walk through drumlins, untouched archaeological sites, seascapes, mountain loughs and slopes covered with heather and golden whins. This is a non-competitive event with time to enjoy friendly relaxed company. A certain Bluestacks Walking Festival: April 29 - May 1
level of fitness is required as the longer walks are 12 kilometres and can take up to 6 or 7 hours, but in good company amidst the fine scenery---who’s counting? A medium walk, approximately 8 kilometres, taking approximatley 5-6 hours, is also available on both days. There is a rambling stroll on Sunday only - ideal for both young and old. This ramble starts from Manorhamilton to explore the local boreens adjacent to the town, with information on local wildlife and folklore in both Irish and English. The placenames found in this area tell the history of our local town lands, boreens and glens in what was once the kingdom of the Gaelic Clan of the O’Rourkes. Glencar, famous for its waterfalls; Glenade with its steep cliffs and caves, the last refuge of the Irish bears; Glenfarne and its forested walks leading to the serenity of Loch MacNean, and Glenboy with its prehistoric megalithic tombs at Tullyskeherny.
T: 071 914 7565 or 086 841 8843. E: norlemglens@eircom.net W: http://sites.google.com/site/hshillwalkers/
Achill Walks Festival April 29 - May 2
They say: If you’ve ever promised yourself a break at the right tempo, not too fast nor too
slow, then make a date for the Féile Siúlóidí Acla / Achill Walks Festival which celebrates its ninth year in 2011, with the first of two annual events scheduled for May. Achill Island offers an ideal landscape for walking with its magnificent mountains, rolling hills and rugged coastline, there is something to suit all tastes. Achill Tourism will host a Welcome Reception on Friday Evening, accompanied by a slideshow. On Saturday there will be a choice of two walks, The Old Coffin Trail, a route used in times past by funeral parties or a visit to Innisbiggle Island, one of our offshore islands. On Sunday we offer the choice of climbing one of the highest peaks on Achill as the high-level option or a gentle hill walk as our low-level option. Finally, on Monday we have organised a walk suitable for all abilities in The Valley, an area of Achill with a rich archaeological heritage as well as an abundance of Flora and Fauna. We would encourage pre-registration due to the popularity of the walks; in addition places on our highlevel walks are strictly limited. Registration for the May Bank Holiday Walks will be open from March on the Achill Tourism Website. “Take only photographs and leave only your footprints” T: 098 47353 W: www.achilltourism.com