Wild at HeartThe Connemara Wild at Heart Four Seasons Walking Festival kicks off this weekend with the summer event comprising of walks in the Twelve Bens and on Inishbofin Island. Future festival dates are: October 22nd to 24th; December 27th to 29th; and March 16th to 18th, 2012. Packages are available from €199 (two nights) to €299 (three nights) at choice of five hotels: Clifden Station House, Abbeyglen Castle, Ballynahinch Castle, Cashel House and Lough Inagh Lodge. For more details see discoverireland.ie.
Helvick swim
The 17th annual sponsored swim and barbecue in aid of the RNLI Helvick Lifeboat Station will take place at Helvick Pier at 1.30pm, next Sunday (June 26th). New attractions have been introduced to make this event a family fun day. For more details call 087-8210420 or e-mail rnlihelvick@gmail.com.
Mayo in motion
If you are heading to Mayo this summer it would be worth your while to visit mayotrails.ie. This website contains a staggering amount of information about upcoming events, including details about walking trails (descriptions, maps) and cycling routes (pictured below) and greenways. Today sees the start of Mayo Bike Week and a full list of events is available on the website.
Lunchtime lectures
The Great Outdoors in-store lunchtime lecture series has begun and continues each Wednesday at 1pm until July 29th. Subjects to be covered are: mountain safety, GPS, sea kayaking, tackling Kilimanjaro, map and compass, and walking the Camino. Each talk is free but space is limited. Book online at: greatoutdoors.ie.
fbradley@irishtimes.ie