Áine Ryan
THAT summer sunshine may be elusive but weather conditions were ideal for the 1,200-plus walkers from around the globe who descended on the county town last week for the 41st International Castlebar Four-Day Walks. And, by all accounts, it wasn’t only those bracing walks along Mayo’s many scenic highways and byways that exercised the hale and hearty participants.
According to Director, Ms Bridget Harrington-Barry, a popular axiom of the festival is: “It’s not the four days that kill you, but rather it’s the five nights.”
She told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday) that she was more tired from dancing at last Sunday night’s closing celebrations than from all the kilometres of walking she had endured since the walk started on Thursday morning last.
“All the participants have gone away with good feelings in their hearts because this festival is about friendships that have grown each year,” said Ms Harrington-Barry. Citing a typical example, she observed that two Australians had met on the walk this year to discover they lived a mere 15km apart back home. “They will now meet up on their return to Australia.”
Established in 1967, the Castlebar walk is one of two of a kind in the world – the other is in Nijmgen, Holland – that hosts a four-day festival; the norm is two days.
“Many of our visitors, who have been returning for years, are very familiar with the town and have their own little niches. People generally stay in B&Bs and hotels and we also block-book Lough Lannagh [holiday village] and this year we also booked the student apartments [over Argos],” continued Ms Harrington-Barry.
She observed that there is always a great buzz around the town and that the social hub is in the Welcome Inn where the walkers meet each day.
“We were very pleased by the numbers of young walkers – particularly aged between nine and 15 – who did the 20km walk this year. And our visitors were very impressed by how well they behaved themselves,” she added.
Ms Harrington-Barry expressed her gratitude to Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority for the provision of high-visibility vests and to the Gardaí, particularly Inspector Michael Murray, for their support.
This year’s participants joined in a variety of walks, encompassing ten, 20 and 40km road walks, as well as two rambles. Those who completed all four days of walking were presented with a medal, while each walker was given a certificate. There was a formal presentation on Sunday evening at 6.30pm of the silver and gold Castlebar International Four-Day Walks medals.
International Marching League (IML) awards, including European Walker and Master Walker, were also presented at the ceremony.
The IML is a worldwide walking association which encourages walkers to cross international frontiers, thus bringing different cultures and traditions together.
