Neill O’Neill
WHAT has been trumpeted as one of the most colourful and exciting annual events of the year in Westport since its inception in 2006 was described last week by Westport town councillor Tereasa McGuire as ‘the best-kept secret in town.’
Gaelforce will return to the wilds of Galway and Mayo next weekend and will, yet again, finish in the grounds of Westport House – but without any of the colour or fanfare of the last two years.
The festival of fun and events on the lawn of Westport House that greeted Gaelforce competitors on previous outings is not taking place this year, with the organisers citing costs as the reason. However, 850 people have signed up to participate in the Gaelforce races – double the number that took part last year.
Four of the nine Westport town councillors who could be contacted last Thursday evening did not know the event was taking place this week, while Cllr Tereasa McGuire was aware only because she handles correspondence for her brother-in-law who is participating in Gaelforce.
Cllr Margaret Adams knew it was happening because she read an article about it recently and Cathaoirleach of the Council, Cllr Martin Keane, said he had received no notification or documentation about the event. Westport Town Council is one of the financial supporters of Gaelforce, and though puzzled by the lack of promotion – and despite the breakdown in communications ahead of this year’s event – the councillors remain fully behind the event.
One of Mayo County Council’s Senior Executives who is based in Westport, Martin Keating, told The Mayo News that the Gaelforce organising committee outline their plans to Council officials each year and they were aware that the festival element would not take place this year. He said that the essence of Gaelforce is the race itself and that with the growth in participant numbers the whole event has become more focused on its most important aspects. This view was shared by Cllr Peter Flynn, who contended that outside of the competitors and their families, huge numbers of people never came to Westport specifically for Gaelforce.
However, Cllr Declan Dever said it is a pity that the high profile Westport gained from promotion and television and other advertising of the event in other years would not happen in a summer when it is badly needed.
Sports co-ordinator with Mayo Sports Partnership, Charlie Lambert, was on the committee which organised the festival last year. He attended a review meeting after Gaelforce last September and assumed it would take place again this year. However, he heard nothing since then and stated last week that the Mayo Sports Partnership will investigate the possibility of running a sports fun day on and around the Carrowbeg River in Westport, in conjunction with the Gaelforce event next year. He feels this might go some way towards making up for the absence of the festival.
Gaelforce is a multi-discipline adventure event that is open to all levels of competitor. The Fáilte Ireland-backed race first took place in 2006 and in just two years it has become the largest adventure event in the country. There are two events involved in the competition and each one constitutes a fierce challenge for those who take part.
For more information see www.gaelforcewest.com or phone 098 28324/28316.
