Connemara + Croagh Patrick

[patzx12]

Following on the heels of Robin’s excellent Connemara post.
This is an account of a perfect day.
Reek Sunday 29 July 11.
Early start from Galway and the damp roads to myself, up to Westport via Spiddal, Leenane and Killary Harbour.
Find a nice parking spot for the GSA, quick change of clothes, don’t you just love full luggage.
Start the climb of along with 20,000 other souls that ascended that day, it took 1:45
Its a fair old hike I must admit and some rocky terrain.
Take a well earned coffee break and chill for an hour or so. There was no view that day but its supposed to be fantastic on a clear day.
The trip down can be tricky with all the loose stones.
I resisted the allure of the cosy Irish pub at the bottom.
Got back on the bike and a fantastic ride through Louisburg and as far a Lettermullen.
The feeling of contentment at the end of the day was massive.

 

[patzx12]

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[patzx12]

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[Spear Ruler]

Lovely part of the country Pat even in the wet.
Well done for doing the Reek as well.

Cheers

Geraldine

 

[John B]

Croagh Patrick

That must have been an experience & a half. Visited Croagh Patrick, found it to be a reflective sort of a place, went to the pub at the bottom also across the road is a monument to all the people who left the country during the famines, a very moving place. John B

 

[patzx12]

Its a penance, I am not into religion but i supose its in our DNA being raised RC.
The people on the climb were the finest, this is Ireland. I was impressed with the amount of young people on the climb, the 2 lads in the picture barefoot were no holy joes but still wanted to do the climb barefoot.
A bit of penance is good for you, anything you work hard at or endure to complete a task makes you a better person.

 

[Geno]

Cracking Place

Its a penance, I am not into religion but i supose its in our DNA being raised RC.
The people on the climb were the finest, this is Ireland. I was impressed with the amount of young people on the climb, the 2 lads in the picture barefoot were no holy joes but still wanted to do the climb barefoot.
A bit of penance is good for you, anything you work hard at or endure to complete a task makes you a better person.

spent weeks holiday near here , cracking roads and amazing scenery .

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

the 5km bungee jump sounds amazing!

The Reek and the surrounding area are a very nice slice of Ireland. I was born in Rosbeg, we moved to Athlone when I was about 3 but we used to go back to Westport every summer. Dad used to take the mattress on the roof of the car - huge fear of damp beds and TB. Love that town.

 

[patzx12]

Mayo is reall doing a good job atracting tourism and fair fks to them.
Loot at the Great Western greenway for example.
www.greenway.ie

 

[Aidan1150]

Mayo is reall doing a good job atracting tourism and fair fks to them.
Loot at the Great Western greenway for example.
www.greenway.ie

It seems to be very popular, there were loads of people cycling and walking along the Greenway last Saturday as we road down from Belmullet towards Louisburg.

 

[rocky burns]

who's the clown trying to climb a mountain in flipflops?

 

[flatdog]

who's the clown trying to climb a mountain in flipflops?

muddy feet rather.


penance

 

[patzx12]

A number of people go up and down barefoot. One guy climbed the reek every day for 365 days

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Thanks for posting.

Looks like the kind of place I'd like as a hideaway from real life.