Westport Trip

Sunday, August 31, 2014
The Ballymena Road Club touring section was in Westport last weekend.
Club Secretary Hazel Hughes gives a brief outline of the trip.
"Seventeen of us travelled to Westport from Ballymena RC Michelin and Phoenix. 
On The Saturday we cycled the Great Western Greenway from Westport as far as Mulranney. This Greenway is the longest off road cycling trail in Ireland, 42km in length and it goes as far as Achill with great cafe stops for tea and scones. The Greenway was really busy with cyclists and it was good to see so many families out on their bikes.
The next day we rode south along the coast from Westport looking out at Clew Bay and Clare Island. We passed Croagh Patrick but decided against climbing the mountain in our cycling shoes. We turned inland at Louisburgh and headed into the mountains. It was a beautiful road through the Sheefry Mountains on Doo Lough Pass. We stopped at the famine monument for a moment to remember those who died in Mayo in troubled times past.
Then we arrived in Leenaun, where "The Field” was filmed. We met no movie stars but did encounter a mermaid by a river on the outskirts of town!
We cycled home along the shores of Lough Mask on quiet roads, as Mayo and Kerry were playing football and everyone was watching the match.
Thanks to our guides and drivers for looking after us all and we are already planning next year’s trip.”