Achill Walks Festival 2003 | Saturday | Sunday | Monday
Saturday 15 March 2003: Atlantic Ramble
 The first walk of the Festival was a rugged coastline ramble beginning and ending at Johnny Patten's pub in Derreens.
(Click images for full view)
After introductions for each of the four guides and a safety brief, the group of 48 walkers set off (picture, right) in fine weather accompanied by a quartet of pipers and a drummer from local bands. St. Patrick's Day is an important day in the calendar for Achill's numerous pipe bands, and this send-off gave the walkers a small taste of what was to come on Monday. With the sound of the pipes following in the wind, the walking group ascended a small hill to survey the area before descending to the first point of interest, Kildavnet church and cemetery.
 Lead guide Tomás Mac Lochláinn introduced the group to the history of Kildavnet (Cill Damhnait), the first of many informative and entertaining talks during the walk. The site of the church dates from the 7th century. Kildavnet cemetery is one of the oldest on Achill and holds memorials for two of the island's greatest tragedies - the Clew Bay Drowning disaster of 1894, and the Kirkintilloch Fire of 1937.
Close to Kildavnet church and cemetery are the remains of a 15th century Irish tower house (picture, left) linked to the legendary pirate queen, Granuaille (Grace O'Malley). From this stronghold she was able to patrol access from the sea through Achill Sound. Today the site is also home to the Achill Lifeboat, underlining the strategic value of this location for access to Achill's waters.
 After rounding the bend at Cloghmore (An Chloch Mhór) the group was able to follow the shore along the Atlantic Drive. A quick rest for snacks was followed by another stop on a secluded, grassy knoll. Another opportunity for sandwiches, the group wondered? But appetites were quickly lost as Tomás explained that the area was actually a Cillín - a burial ground for unbaptised infants. Next stop along the coast was to explore a promontory fort (picture, above right). For a landscape with little obvious habitation, it was becoming clear that in former times the area had hosted a significant population.
Continued »
Achill Walks Festival 2003 | Saturday | Sunday | Monday
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