Burrishoole Walking Festival boots up

Burrishoole Walking Festival boots up


The 23rd annual Burrishoole Walking Festival will take place this coming June Bank Holiday weekend (June 5 to June 7 inclusive). The festival continues to attract people from all over the world, many of whom return each year, not just to participate in the walking, but to rekindle the friendships they have made and to enjoy the atmosphere created by people who work hard to ensure that visitors feel at home, enjoy the walks, and participate in the social occasions which follow each evening after the walks.
This year, walkers will travel from South Africa, Japan, America, the Continent, Great Britain, and all over Ireland, to what has become one of the most popular and enjoyable walking festivals in Ireland.
There will be a variety of walks each day, designed to suit all ability of walkers, walks which take people over the most scenic areas of Ireland, with views of mountains, rivers, lakes and beautiful Clew Bay.
Registration for the three days will take place on Saturday morning at 10am at the Derradda Community Centre, with a registration fee of €30 which includes the barbecue, and all food and entertainment for the three days. Walking will then begin at 11am, and later that evening there will be entertainment and refreshments in the Community Centre.
On Sunday morning, the walks will commence at 11.30am and on Sunday evening the barbecue will kick off at 6pm, followed by live entertainment from the various artists from the locality and all over the world, including the returned visit of a highly acclaimed singer from Japan. Then at around 10.30pm that night, John O’Mahony, TD and Mayo GAA County Senior Manager, will present certificates to the walkers.
One of the highlights of the Burrishoole Walking Festival is the walk to the Ochillie Mass Rock for the celebration of Mass, which attracts hundreds of people of all denominations each year. Mass will be concelebrated at 2pm on the Bank Holiday Monday, and people are advised to begin walking at 12.30pm so as to arrive on time for the Mass. Afterwards refreshments will be provided at the Derradda Community Centre.
The organising committee is looking forward to a great weekend, with the hope that all participants enjoy the beautiful walks, renew friendships and enjoying the great company and talent that come together to make the Burrishoole Walking Festival the wonderful success it has become.

For more information, contact Sinéad Cusack on 087 2249679 or Jackie Rumley at 098 36144.