Calling all walkers: Boot up for the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail's annual festival

As you might be aware, May is ‘Come Home to Mayo Month’, when all with a connection to this most beautiful county are encouraged to drop back for a look at the home place. We can be sure there will be plenty to keep those who do come busy while they are here.
Among the foremost events being planned is the annual Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival, which will take place on Saturday, May 10. Traditionally a three-day cross-country 64k hike from the town of Balla to Murrisk, post-Covid this has become a one-day, 20k jaunt from Aughagower to Murrisk. Those with pneumatic knees and hawsers for hamstrings who harken for the dubious pleasure of the old days must wait a year or two for the full course to be run again (which it likely will be).
For now, 20k must be enough. But what 20k these are! If there exist anywhere such varied surroundings and conditions underfoot in a distance so short we would like to know where it is. A bold claim? Perhaps. But to be certain, you must sign up for the day and see for yourself.

Walking with reason
This walking festival has always had the primary aim of raising funds for one worthwhile cause or another, and this year it is the Mayo-Roscommon Hospice that will benefit. Most of us are aware of the sterling work accomplished by this well-established charity, but what is not as well known is the hospice’s plan to expand and provide locally available, dedicated care for children and young adults enduring cancer, who must presently travel to Dublin to avail of suitable services.
All proceeds (apart from essential expenses) will be going directly to support that project.
But what lies in store for those who register and share in the day?
For a start, morning bus transport has been kindly provided by Declan Kennedy of locally based Kennedy Travel. Walkers will be able to leave their cars parked at Murrisk and take the bus to the registration point in the historical village of Aughagower.
Aughagower itself has become famous for many things. Legend tells us that it was here that St Patrick established a church and ordained bishops from among the local population, saying ‘There will be good bishops here, and from their seed blessed people will come forth forever in this See’. So taken was Patrick with Achad Fobuir, as the village was then known, he further said ‘I would choose to remain on a little land here, after faring around churches and waters.’
As we would expect, the history of Saint Patrick’s visit here has been preserved. A walk around the village will reveal the ruined Church of the Teeth, which Patrick himself is said to have founded. Close by is Patrick’s Vat, where baptisms are reputed to have taken place, and less than a stone’s throw away we can find Patrick’s Bed, where the saint must have lain to recover from his exertions. Is the ruined (and leaning!) Round Tower really from the 7th century? We think it must be later, but there is no doubt the monastic surround is of that date.
Today it is the warm hospitality offered by the local community that draws people, and as our walkers enjoy complimentary morning coffee and homemade cake they will think of their kind-hearted hosts who dragged themselves out of bed to make sure the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival gets a great send off.
We should mention the registration process. While advance registration is available through Eventbrite, walkers can also pay their registration fee on the day. Whichever option is chosen, the organisers ask that everyone sign in that morning, and sign out when they get back to Murrisk at the end of the trail. This is so they know everyone is alive and well and that there are no walkers left on the hill, lost and alone, at the end of the day.
But we are only setting out. While the walk is guided, all are free to choose their own pace. Some will get their heads down and step out, while others will take a more relaxed view of things and want to look around them, learning as they go.

Heritage aplenty
And there is plenty to be seen. The first off road section is a wildflower haven, with high banks lined with primrose, both yellow and scarlet pimpernel, saxifrage and more. These flowers are the same that grew here when pilgrims took this ancient route to their holy mountain, and the songbirds that fill the morning air with riches are likely direct descendants of those Patrick himself no doubt enjoyed. It would be a shame to hurry through and not to see, and take your time, for there is tarmac ahead.
Even so, the little roads and boreens that lead us west rarely see much traffic. On either side we have the small fields typical of rural west Mayo, with little sign of the intensive farming evidenced elsewhere. We get the feeling that the world has slowed a little, and an inkling that we should do the same.
Up hill and down we go, over tiny, near-hidden bridges and through the remains of ancient woodland as we take the steep climb to Lankill, where a visual spectacle awaits as David Hughes gives a demonstration of road-bowling, a uniquely Irish sport with its roots in the 17th century. Road bowling involves hurling a 7 inch, 28 ounce iron sphere up the road as far as can be done, avoiding both ditches and (hopefully) onlookers. It is a remarkable and eye-widening sport, not least for the way wary shins are lifted smartly out of the way of that unpredictably bouncing projectile.
After safe negotiation of the playing field, winding lanes take us past the world-famous Boheh Stone and on to Brackloon School, where light refreshments await. Ancient Brackloon Wood is next, then it’s up the hill to Prospect where we first catch sight of the sea.

Wild country
And that is the last we see of the road, for stony mountain tracks lead us up toward the Skeilp, the shoulder of Croagh Patrick. Now the whole of Clew Bay comes into view, the many islands coloured hues of green and gold, depending on the day.
This is wild country, with raven, wheatear and wild mountain sheep for company. It seems the favourite part of the journey for most, for the expansive views are certainly worth those last few miles of effort. We’ve put in the work, now we get the reward!
But as steep as we found the climb, so the descent is equally so. Care is needed as we follow the Deerpark wall toward the sea, yet even should we slip the bog is soft… if wet. (The rocks are not so soft. Take care!)
While this stretch over blanket bog is scenic, it also feels quite long and it is with grateful eyes we suddenly find ourselves at the downhill path leading to Campbell’s Pub and the afternoon barbecue that awaits. Perhaps it is the sound of traditional music that spurs us on, or the smell of burgers and black pudding, or the lure of a pint or two, but before we know it we are home and dry with 20 marvellous and memorable kilometres behind us.
Past walkers consistently compliment the organisation, the route, the guides, their fellow trekkers. The organisers look forward to complimenting those who come along to share the experience and thanking all those who give so generously to this event year after year.
And as the dust is settling at the end of the day, those in need of hospice care will be ever grateful for the support they receive through their troubled time.
Go raibh maith agat. See you on the tenth!

• For more, visit cpht.ie, call 0949360891, email info@cpht.ie or follow the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail on Facebook.