March 2019

Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival is a three days guided walking festival along a 61km route on the Croagh Patrick Heritage trail including moderate to hard walking.

The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is one of the most beautiful trails to walk in the country and is an accredited National Way Marked Way.

The Trail passes through boreens, minor roads, small sections of woodland, historic houses and archaeological remains and it reaches the villages of Ballintubber, Killavally and Aghagower heading towards the final destination: Murrisk and Clew Bay.

The 2019 Festival takes place from 8th March to 10th March and, this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. It starts from the town of Balla westwards to Croagh Patrick in Murrisk.

Walks start each day at 8.30 am sharp.

Meeting points are:

• Day 1 Corleys Pub Ballintubber

• Day 2 Aughagower Village (rear of the church)

• Day 3 Murrish Carpark (Base of Croagh Patrick)

On Friday participants will walk the first 20km long section of the trail from Balla to Bullintubber. The meeting point is in the car park in Ballintubber at 8.30 am sharp, and they will be transported by bus to the starting point in Balla.

On Saturday the second 27 km long walk from Ballintubber to Aughagower will take place. The meeting point is the car park near the church in Aughagower Village. The trail will lead to the village of Killawalla passing the Cullentrough Bog, the old mill on the river Aille and the Lazy Beds.

Participants will be transported to Ballintubber by bus.

On Sunday walkers will enjoy the last 21km long walk from Aughagower to Murrisk. The meeting point is in Murrisk; everyone will be transported to Aughagower.

Also, walkers will hear the local myths and legends from experienced guides along their way.

For further information contact the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail office at 094 9030687.

Money raised will go to Croi.

The rescheduled final day of the 10th anniversary walking festival will take place on Sunday 23rd June. The walk starts in Aughagower and finishes at the pilgrim path on Croagh Patrick. All previously registered walkers have free entry to this event.