Trek to Freedom this Sunday

The footsteps of a famous War of Independence retreat will be recreated this Easter Sunday.
For the second year running, the Nephin Beggers group will hold their Trek to Freedom which follows the route of Michael Kilroy and his West Mayo Flying Column in their retreat in the War of Independence.
The trek will go through Skirdagh to Glenlaura and on to Letterkeen, the route the rebels fled through to the safety of the mountains away from the hunting Black and Tans.
The trek will also visit the Correen caves where a number if the volunteers hid out.
The day starts on Sunday with registration at Brannan’s Bar on Main Street, Newport between 10am and 11am. From there, taxis will convoy participants to Letterkeen. At 11.15am at the bothy in Leterkeen, the 1916 Proclamation will be read followed by an account for the Skirdagh battle and subsequent retreat to the mountains.
At 11.30am participants will journey on the Western Way Trail where all present will be given a chance to carry the tricolour.
It’s then onto a trek to Correen hill and caves, the final leg, before heading back down to the bothy in Leterkeen for some refreshments. There is a fee of €15 to cover costs for the day that is payable during registration.