Achill Island Holidays is proud to present, The Great Western Greenway Cycle which will take place on Saturday, 20th Sept at 10:00am from Westport. This Commemorative Cycle was established to mark the anniversary date of the last passenger train to run from Westport to Achill on 20th September 1937 on the then Great Western Railway. The route is 62km long and estimated to take 4-5 hours for the casual cyclist. Departing Westport at 10:00 am sharp on 20th September 2014. Starting point is Clew Bay Bike Hire Shop on Distillery Road, passing through Newport, Mullranny & Achill Sound from there, turn left and follow the Atlantic Drive past Kildownet Cemetery & Grace O Malley Castle, taking in some of the most scenic views on the west coast of Ireland, arriving at Mickeys Bar in Dooega for medal presentation & refreshments. Registration is required at a charge of €15 per person and can be completed on-line in less than 2 minutes at achillislandholidays This cycle can be joined at any point along the route, if you feel Westport/Achill may be a little too long, however registration will still apply as this is to cover medals & refreshments. This is a fantastic opportunity to cycle the longest off road cycle track in Europe as well as learning about the history of the train line that went before. It is a fun cycle, NOT a race but you are free to note your own times. Trail Map & Information on the Greenway including Bicycle Hire, can be found at greenway.ie Bicycle Hire on Achill: Achill Bikes 087 243 7686. Achill Lodge Bike Hire 087 652 3120 The Prophecy: In the early 1600s a man called Brian Rua OCearbhain from Erris, Co. Mayo predicted that carriages on iron wheels, emitting smoke and fire would carry coffins to Achill both at the beginning and end of a new era of transport. His predictions became a reality. One of the first trains to arrive into Achill in 1894 carried victims of the Clew Bay drowning tragedy. A hooker transporting emigrating islanders to a steamer in Westport capsized, drowning 32. The prophecy of Brian Rua was fulfilled in September 1937 when ten islanders were burned to death in a bothy fire at Kirkintilloch in Scotland. Their bodies were brought home for burial in Kildownet Cemetery by one of the last trains to Achill. Less than two weeks later the railway was finally closed.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:30:00 +0000