Programme of Events:
Friday 1st May 2009
Welcome Reception - Achill Head Hotel, Pollagh
Turasóireacht Acla and your hostess, Gillian, invite you to come and join us for a glass of wine at 9pm. Meet our Walking Guides and fellow walkers to discuss the weekend's activities.
Saturday 2nd May 2009
Walk A: Dooagh - Signal Tower - Croaghaun
Depart Dooagh Beach Car Park at 9.00am. This Walk will take you through areas of scenic beauty and archaeological and historical significance. We will visit the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The local guide will provide a series of talks about the landscape, geology, flora and fauna, along with local history, folklore and place names.
Duration: 5 - 6 hours
Level: Moderate
Finishing point: Alan welcomes you to Gielty's at the end of your walk. Full bar menu.
Cost of Walk A: €10.00
Walk B: Courtesy of the Heinrich Böll Association, Walkers are invited to join the guided walk through the Deserted Village, focusing on recent archaeological excavations followed by lunch at Gray's Guesthouse, Dugort.
WALK FULL! Sorry, this walk is now fully booked.
Walk C: Dooagh to Keel Beach / Gubalennaun go Trámór. Coastline exploratory walk, follow in the footsteps of the famous Irish painter, Paul Henry. Your Guide will explain the relationship the painter formed with Achill, and its influence on his painting career. (In 2010 Achill will celebrate the centenary of his arrival on the Island and a special weekend dedicated to the artist is being planned.) Your walk will cover all aspects of the local flora, fauna and geology.
Depart: Dooagh Strand Car Park, 12 midday.
Duration: 4hrs approx.
Level: Easy.
Finishing point: Maeve will be pleased to welcome you to Calvey's, Keel at the end of the walk. The Early Bird Menu will be available to the Festival Walkers.
Cost of Walk C: €10.00
Saturday Evening: The Heinrich Böll Society for their evening lecture, "German Identity - 20 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall" held in Cyril Gray Memorial Hall, Dugort. Readings and Discussion in co-operation with the Goethe-Institute Ireland. A full Programme of Events is available in our office or on our website, www.achilltourism.com.
Cost of evening: €20.00
Or join us for traditional music and craic in the Annexe Bar, Keel from 10pm onwards.
Sunday 3rd May 2009
Coffin Trail Walk / An Cosán Cónra
Go back in time and walk the scenic coffin trail (an cosán cónra) over Minaun, enjoying local history and folklore stories from our local guide. Continue on and explore coves and cliff scenery from a vantage point of 800ft above sea level before descending to a Dún. The walk will end in the historic village of Dooega.
Depart: Car Park at Keel Caravan Park at 10.30am
Duration: 5hrs approx.
Level: Moderate
Finishing Point: Declan welcomes you to Lavelles Seaside House to enjoy their hospitality.
Cost of Walk A: €15.00
Walk B: Courtesy of The Heinrich Böll Association. Register with the society for a guided tour of Historic Clare Island. Followed by lunch.
WALK FULL! Sorry, this walk is now fully booked.
Walk C: Cursa an tAigéan Atlantach / Atlantic Drive Walk
Road and path walk hugging the rugged Atlantic coast suitable for all the family. Our expert local guides will bring the landscape to life as they describe the archaeology and local history of the area. Hear the stories of years past and feel the fresh sea air on your face.
Depart: Pattens Bar Car Park at 11am
Level: Easy
Cost of Walk C: €10.00
Sunday Evening: Join us in Comlacht Forbaratha Aitiúil Acla, Crumpaun, Keel at 8pm. Compare blisters and stories after a weekend of walking. There will be a slide show presentation on the unseen beauty of Achill, followed by a presentation of certificates to all those who participated in the Féile Siúlóidí Acla.
Monday 4th March 2009
Walk A: Slievemore /An Sliabh Mór. Depart Slievemore Graveyard @ 10.30am to walk through the Deserted Village before beginning our ascent of Slievemore. From the summit, the views to the south (Clew Bay and beyond) and the north (Belmullet peninsula and Blacksod Bay) really have to be seen to be believed. Our local guide will provide a series of talks about the landscape, geology, flora and fauna, along with local history, folklore and placenames.
Duration: 4 Hours.
Level: Moderate.
Cost of Walk A: €10.00
Important Notice:
- Please note that appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn for all walks.
- Bring a packed lunch and a warm drink.
- No dogs allowed on the walks.
- Bring your camera to capture the fantastic scenery.
- Closing date for registration of walks is Thursday 30th April 2009.
- For further details contact Achill Tourism 00 353 (0) 98 47353
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