Tourism bonanza for Gaelforce and Get Out There

Tourism bonanza for Gaelforce and Get Out There


Áine Ryan

ACCOMODATION providers from Connemara to Claremorrris benefited from the huge numbers of people who attended the Gaelforce West and Get Out There festivals held over the weekend in Westport and its environs, The Mayo News can reveal.
FΡilte Ireland’s, Brian Quinn said last night that in the days leading up to the festivals ‘the tourist office in Westport had a huge waiting list for accommodation’.
“With over 10,000 people either participating in or attending the festivals we were filling beds from Connemara to Claremorris. And there has already been a very positive feedback from visitors and participants about the quality service and flexibility of  these providers. Some B&Bs and hotels did breakfasts as early as 4am on Saturday morning for the athletes,” Brian Quinn said.
He explained that Gaelforce West, which is run by Jamie Young and his family who own Killary Adventure Company, is now self-sustaining.
“Initially FΡilte Ireland financially supported Gaelforce but that has now proved to be a resounding success, both financially and from a tourism and sports perspective. This year’s inaugural Get Out There  festival developed out of Gaelforce and we gave it financial support of around €45,000.  Our plan for next year’s Get Out There is to develop a month-long programme of adventure along with music and heritage activities,” Brian Quinn said.
Significantly Brian Quinn said ‘the big issue for FΡilte Ireland is that it is not just the hoteliers and accommodation providers that are tourist ambassadors’. Quinn urges everybody to engage and become involved in a drive that could ultimately brand this area as the Adventure Capital of the country’.   
The first Get Out There festival was run last weekend alongside the now internationally acclaimed Gaelforce West Adventure Race, held on Saturday.
Gaelforce is a multi-sport adventure race involving cycling, running, hiking and kayaking. Stretching from the stunning Glassilaun beach to Westport, the course is around 65km. En route there are some significant obstacles to cross, including Killary Harbour and the famous holy mountain of Croagh Patrick.
On the other hand, the Get Out There festival focuses on yet to be initiated athletes or the less active visitors who may be curious or interested in such activities as kayaking, fishing, skateboarding, wall-climbing and a range of other pursuits.  
Over the weekend its busy programme of events, both in the town and at the Quay, were very well-attended.
According to one of the organisers, Ciaran Collins of The Adventure Islands company, the entire festival was a brilliant success.
“We were involved in the marine activities at the Quay. They included Sea Safaris in a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) out two kilometers to a colony of seals at Rocky island. We also gave kayaking lessons and attracted participants aged from 14 to 56,” Ciaran Collins told The Mayo News.
For local café owner, Trisha O’Doherty of The Creel, the entire experience over the weekend was ‘super’.
“It was all positive from my perspective. We were busy and our customers were a great group of people. The shuttle bus really connected the town to the Quay. The feedback from people was that the whole event was well organised, well run and well marshaled. And great fun,” Trisha O’Doherty said.
Ironically for supporter, Mary Kelly from Leixlip, County Kildare, she was feeling ‘more stiff and tired’ on Sunday than her brother, Paul Kelly, a Fianna FΡil county councillor and solicitor.
“Quite strange really, but myself and my sister Ann, and Paul’s two daughters were more wrecked and stiff on Sunday than Paul, who did the course in a respectable 5.35 hours and was in fine fettle afterwards!” Ms Kelly confided to The Mayo News.