Adrenaline rush

Adrenalin rush


If it’s adventure you're after, Mayo has more than enough to sate the appetite of every thrill-seeker, writes Paul Flynn

FROM her brooding mountains to the shimmering seas, the county of Mayo overflows with opportunities for adventure seekers the world over. Mayo’s shops and bars resound with voices from all around the globe: folk who want to feel alive; pilgrims of adventure. Europe’s last great unspoilt wilderness is now being heralded as a favoured haven of surfers, climbers, hikers, equestrians; anyone, in fact, seeking to test themselves in harmony with wave, hillside, lake or bridle-path.
There has been a quiet revolution in the area of adventure sports in the west of Ireland which has gone hand in hand with a major cultural shift in tourism trends. Mayo can now boast a wealth of professional expertise in the adventure sports sector. Enthusiasm and skill are blended with local knowledge and an appreciation of the county’s rich heritage. Should you choose to come west along the road, you’ll be in good hands.
Mayo itself is the real adventure. The gaiety of the towns and villages act as vivid counterpoint to the muscular hills and seething shores of this spectacular county. Take a look at the options below and see which adventure gets your adrenalin pumping.

Gaelforce West
FOR the ultimate adventurer, Westport is the place to be this August, when Gaelforce West sweeps into town.
Now in its third year, Gaelforce has already developed a reputation as a thrill-a-minute adventure ride, and has led to the Westport and Killary harbour region being labelled the adventure capital of Ireland. The first event was well-received two years ago, while last year the range of events – and number of participants from all over the world – increased significantly, meaning that this year’s event is highly anticipated by all lovers of adventure.
There are two main events to choose from, or combine: Gael Force 6, the classic one-day multi-sport challenge for solo participants with biking, running, trekking and kayaking; or Gael Force 12 – featuring GF6 on the Saturday and then continuing with a ‘second stage’ team event on the Sunday involving ropes, boats and navigation.
The course for Gael Force 6 is approximately 65km, stretching from the stunning Glassilaun beach, south-west of Killary Harbour, to Westport. En route there are some significant obstacles to cross, including Killary Harbour itself (which will be crossed using kayaks) and the famous holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. The event is designed for solo competitors, but you can also run it with a buddy or training partner. Due to logistics, relay teams are not allowed.
Last year’s event sold out, so this year entry numbers have been extended to 500. The GF6 racer party will take place in Westport on the Saturday night.
The more challenging GF12 event has been revamped this year. For the last two years, it was suitable only for serious adventure-seekers with experience, but this year it has been designed to be more accessible to more people, in terms of skill level and time commitment, while at the same time facilitating those GF12ers who also want to compete in GF6.
Day 1 of GF12 is now the GF6 on Saturday, while Day 2 is a full-blown adventure on the Sunday, consisting of ropes, boats, cycling and running in full adventure-racing style.
The GF12 is designed for teams of two only, although pairs can be teamed up as a four-person unit, and the course will be no longer than 130km (for the two days). For the Saturday, you can choose to race hard in the GF6 – splitting up to travel the terrain on your own terms or as a pair – or pace yourself for the extra day ahead. Your GF6 times will be amalgamated to make your pairs aggregate for the Saturday. The Sunday section will be a classic adventure race – a day of unsupported navigation-based racing using your biking, running, map-reading and kayaking skills. The ropes will come into play too, with a brilliant rope-work section thrown in along the way.
Navigation will be an integral component of the entire day and teams of two must stay together and will be unsupported and self-sufficient, using the bike as the main source of transport and using a rucksack (or panniers) for the day’s provisions.
This year’s Gaelforce adventure takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, with entries now being taken via the website, www.gaelforcewest.ie, or by calling 098 28324/28316.

I will survive
The Delphi Adventure Company is situated beside Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjiord, where Connemara and Mayo meet amidst some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Let’s take a glance at some of the many courses and activities available here.
Mountain Skills Training, held in the majestic Mweelrea mountain range, offers tuition in Mountain Navigation. Participants will learn how to deal with all manner of hazards, how to negotiate steep ground and learn how to deal with any emergencies.
There is also the popular Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing tutorial session and a High Ropes Course; a challenging obstacle course comprising a barrell-walk, rope-bridge and tunnel-crawl. Not for the faint-hearted,methinks.
Situated in 300 acres of forest, Delphi also provides instruction in Archery to rekindle the dormant pilot-light of the survivalist/medievalist in the visitor. Supervised and expertly demonstrated, of course.
There is also an Abseiling Tower and a Zip-Wire facility for the recklessly brave among you. For the more serene personalities there are cycle tours and forest or river valley walks taking in the rich folklore and tranquilty of the locality. It’s up to you.
The folks at Delphi take care of everything: all you need to bring is a pair of sturdy boots, warm old clothing,900 bars of chocolate, and swimwear (wetsuits are provided).
On the shores of Killary Harbour you can learn all you need to master the art of kayaking. These individual open-top or closed-cockpit craft provide a great way to explore the local wildlife. Hang out with seals, otters and even dolphins on occasion. That’s some classy mammals. You will be accompanied by experienced instructors with plenty of games and group tasks up their sleeves.

To the hills
The Western Way is the most comprehensive and challenging of the Mayo Walking Trails, which takes the committed hiker from the Aran Islands all the way to north Mayo through spectacular seascapes and rolling drumlins; punctuated by some the county’s towns and villages. Although invigorating enough as a physical challenge, it affords the walker a chance to really connect with the cultural essence of the region. For some it has the properties of a pilgrimage.

Ride on
Mayo is blessed with many fine horse-riding stables and equitation centres. The Westport Woods Hotel Riding Centre runs comprehensive three- to five-day trails around Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain and a series of beach trails in the environs of Westport town. Nearby, Drumindoo Stud and Equitation Centre provides horse-riding instruction and runs a series of pony camps during school holidays.
Carrowholly Riding Stables operate just four miles from Westport.
Trekking in country lanes and cross-country riding is the speciality of the Ashford Equitation Centre, Cong. There is also a Farm Riding Centre, Ard Auibhinn Stables in Tourmakeady. Finally, if Woodland Hacking is what you’re in to, Claremorris Equitation Centre provide horses and ponies to suit.
So there are just a few options to put some colour in your cheeks. There are countless others. Don’t let the adrenalin curdle in your veins. Life is an adventure sport. Live a little.