Achill Walks Festival 2011

Saturday 30th April 2011

Walk A: The Coffin Trail / An Cosán Conrá
Go back in time and walk the scenic coffin trail (an cosan cónra) over Minaun, enjoying the local history and folklore stories from our guide. Continue on to explore coves and cliff scenery from a vantage point of 800 feet above sea level before descending to a Dún. This walk will be over rough mountainous terrain. The walk will end in the village of Derreens.


Depart: Dookinella Beach Car Park @ 9.30am sharp (Please park cars neatly).
Duration: 8hrs approx.
Level: Strenuous initially, moderate overall. Walkers need to prepare themselves for a full days trekking.
Finish Point: Pattens Bar, Derreens. (Transport will be provided to return walkers to their cars).
Price: €15 per adult / €7.50 per child

Walk B: Innisbiggle Island / Oilean Inis Bigil
Innisbiggle is one of the last inhabited islands off the coast of Achill. It is a great place for bird watching. The island offers unique views of the surrounding mountains of Belmullet and Tonragee. Walkers will depart from Bullsmouth Slipway ready to be transported to Innisbiggle by traditional currach. Walkers will be taken on a guided walk of the island. Your guide will relay information regarding the local history and archaeology of the island. We may be lucky and persuade the locals to make us a cup of tea.


Depart: Bullsmouth Pier (Please park cars neatly)@10am
Duration: 4 Hrs
Level: Easy
Price: €15 per adult, €7.50 per child

Sunday 1st May 2011

Walk A: Curraun Hill
This walk will take place on the Curraun Peninsula. We will ascend Curraun Hill, which offers fantastic views of Achill Island, Achill Beg, Clare Island and Clew Bay. The walkers will be able to explore a natural terrace with glaciated features of truncated spurs, hanging valleys and spectacular corrie lakes (23 in total). This walk covered a distance of 12km approximately with a height gain of 600 mtrs.
Please note numbers are strictly limited for safety, as well as to adhere to the principles of The Leave No Trace Policy. No Children or dogs permitted on this walk.


Depart: Belfarsed Church @ 10am sharp. (Please park cars neatly)
Duration: 6 Hrs
Level: Moderate.
Price: €15 per adult

Walk B Knockmore Hill
This hill at the Southern tip of Achill allows the walker to enjoy wonderful views of the south-western shoreline of Achill with its many inlets. Walkers will travel through the village of Sraheens before ascending the hill. We advise that walkers bring walking poles as this walk crosses uneven terrain.
(Walk subject to change)


Depart: 10am, venue TBC
Duration: 4/5 hrs
Level: Easy /Moderate
Price: €15 per adult /€7.50 per child

Sunday Evening 5pm:
Join us in Ostán Oileán Acla, Achill Sound for some light refreshments followed by a presentation of the Féile Siúlóidí Acla Commerative Pin and Certificate to each walker who participated in our Festival.

Monday 2nd May 2011

The Valley Sandybanks via the Golden Strand
This is a low-level coastal walk suitable to all family members. We will cross one of Achill’s Blue Flag, beaches before emerging on The Valley Sandybanks. This area hosts a large variety of Flora and Fauna as well as many sites of archaeological and historical interest. This area was once owned by the infamous Lady McDonnell, whose home is situated close by. J.M.Synge’'s play "The Playboy of the Western World" is thought to be based on the characters of Lady McDonnell and James Lynchehaun.


Depart: The Golden Strand Beach Car Park (in front of Masterson’s Bar & Restaurant) Dugort @10am
Duration: 4/5 Hrs
Level: Easy
Price: €15 per adult / €7.50 per child