1 July 1998

The 32nd annual Portwest Castlebar International Four Days Walks open this evening (Wednesday) with a parade through the streets of the town, to which everybody is invited.

The walking will then get underway on Thursday morning and continue until Sunday.

In the region of 2,000 walkers, from thirty different nationalities, will be participating in this year's event.

For more than thirty years this has been the largest walking event in the country, introducing thousands of walkers to the joys of walking in Ireland.

From humble beginnings in 1967, when only a handful of walkers launched the event, the walks have developed into the premier international walk in Ireland.

Even from the start there was good support from Dutch walkers, and this has increased over the years. The Dutch have been joined by other walkers from nearly every country in Europe and from America, Japan and Australia. Walkers from all parts of Ireland walk at Castlebar, and membership of the International Marching League ensures that the walks are known throughout the world.

There are staunch supporters of the walks who appear year after year in Castlebar, from the Netherlands, Britain and even far-flung Japan, collecting bronze, silver and gold medals for their attendances.

There are others who appear quite by chance, are amazed at the variety and friendliness of the gathering, and vow to return again and again. There is always a surprise when walkers turn up from countries such as the Falkland Islands, Korea, Finland or Turkey.

There are around twenty countries in the International Marching League, of which Castlebar was a founder member, encouraging walkers around the world to take part at events in all the member countries. An award system leads to European Walker, International Walker and International Master Walker titles.

The walks are also included in the calendar of the Internationale Volkssporverband or IVV, which also operates a world-wide system of walking awards

The walks appeal to both groups and individuals. Walking clubs from around Ireland and from overseas are regular attenders. Tour groups from a number of countries are always present. Military marchers in uniform come from a variety of countries.

To see the flags of many nations being carried along bog roads and over bleak moorlands is a spectacle to savour, bringing a sudden flash of colour into an empty landscape. Individuals rapidly make contact with other walkers, forging friendships around the world. Walking and talking go hand in hand when such an amazing variety of people take to the hills

A wide choice of walking routes are offered to suit all ages and abilities. Longer road walks stretch for 20 to 40 kilometres (12 to 25 miles) in enormous loops ranging far from Castlebar. An immensely popular series of cross-country rambles lead over broad bogs and mountainsides to the north of Castlebar, covering up to 30 kilometres (18 miles).

On all the walks, there is the chance to move from the town to the countryside enjoying the wide vistas in this part of Co Mayo, where clear air and vibrant colours constantly amaze and surprise visitors.

All the walks start and finish at the Welcome Inn at Linenhall Street, Castlebar. There is no need for further transport if accommodation has been arranged in the town. Walkers are free to complete most of the walks at their own pace, though the first stages of the cross-country rambles are guided by leaders who have an intimate knowledge of the terrain. Walkers are asked to reach the final checkpoint at the Welcome Inn by 5.00p.m. each day. Certificates are available for collection at the end of Sunday's walks.

FRIENDSHIPS ARE FORGED

Evenings social events and festivities are centred on the Walking Club at the Welcome Inn, though there are numerous pubs and restaurants to visit elsewhere in Castlebar.

Traditional Irish set dancing, jazz music and other sessions are organised, with a poplar "Blister Ball" on the Sunday night after the award presentation ceremony. Friendships are forged between walkers around the world at Castlebar, sometimes resulting in romances and marriages!

In order to deal with the current level of interest, there is a permanently staffed office in Castlebar dealing exclusively with the Four Days' Walks. Sponsorship for the event has been provided by Portwest, a leading outdoor company based in Westport.

Staff at the office aim to deal with any enquiry from any part of the world, in any language, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The registration desk is staffed by Maria Quinn, Chamber Of Commerce, Teresa Feeney, Anna Cresham and Fionnuala Tynan.

The teams along the routes dispensing drinks and monitoring the welcome of the walkers will be lead by Sean Gallagher and Jack Brewster (40k.m.); Sean Gibbons, Brenda Jackson, Mary Faughnan and Laverine Sheridan (ramble); Mary Tierney and Teresa Staunton (20k.m.).

The leaders in this year's ramble are Susie Fry and Dympna Hannon and the 10k will be lead by Anna Cresham.

The Order of Malta will attend for the duration of the walks.

The local team of volunteers will be joined by checkpoint co-ordinator Charlie Dudas, all the way from Philadelphia.

The international dimension of the walks will be co-ordinated by Bridget Harrington-Barry and Michael Beirne.

The festival headquarters has been designed by local artist, Melessa O'Brien.

Portwest. . .making huge inroads in the outdoor leisure market

Portwest is an Irish owned company based in Westport. Portwest, Charles Hughes Limited, was originally established over 90 years ago.

It forms part of the Hughes Group of companies which include Westport Clothing Limited, manufacturers of the Portwest range of protective clothing and leisure wear; Carraig Donn Knitwear, manufacturers and retailers; Hotel Westport Conference and Leisure Centre; plus Autograph Clothing, a new subsidiary established last year which supplies personalised clothing.

Altogether, the Hughes group employs over 330 people.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998