Getting+to+lob11

Travel Guidance (will be updated shortly) JD Irish Delegates will know that Mulranny is beyond Newport on the road to Achill For overseas visitors Knock Airport is the closest Airport (just over an hour's drive to Mulranny.) To drive down from Dublin is about 3 and a half hours to Mulranny it's a lovely drive! (N4, N5 then N17 direction Westport). Or get train from Dublin to Westport which will only take 4 hours. A bus meets most trains at Westport to continue the journey to Mulranny (catch the Achill bus) Car hire and sharing of spaces and cost was the most successful model last year. Use the attendees section to ask for and offer lifts etc.

**From Knock Airport** to Mulranny by car (approx. 1 hour). Turn left out of Knock Airport (direction Sligo) following the N5 in the direction of Westport on the newly built by-pass (care-not dual carriageway!). Keep on towards **Westport** and **Castlebar.** At Castlebar keep following Westport signs(2 right turns?), then at 3rd roundabout **take** Achill/Newport **road then follow signs for** Newport**. At Newport** turn right down through the town following signs for Achill. Mulranny village is another 8 miles.

There is a bus timetable to be found at www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1270137753-440.pdf with timings of buses from Knock Airport to Mulranny (arrives late evening!) or @http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1276875417-21.pdf times from Knock airport to Wesport or Castlebar (taxi to Mulranny from Castlebar to arrive in time for beachmeet?)

**Lob11** hopes to fit in with the Leave no Trace of Ireland philosophy of responsible use of the countryside with regard to our beach activities e.g. all delegates are responsible for disposing of any rubbish etc. and preserving local wildlife ...the person who goes with reverent feet through the hills and valleys, accompanied by neither noise nor dust to scare away wild creatures, stopping often, watching closely, listening carefully. Only thus can they, at length, feel at one with what is, after all, their natural environment." (Praeger 1937). read more at:  [] Read about wild mountain goats in this area of scenic beauty courtesy of Seán Carolan (Mulranny Environmental Group) in Mayo [|News] and Irish Times or Facebook @http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mulranny-Old-Irish-Goats/190966847588096 To find out more search for Mulranny Old Irish Goats on google
 * Mulranny Old Irish Goats in the news!**
 * @http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11996:nature-mulrannys-old-irish-goats-to-star-on-nationwide&catid=50:outdoor-living&Itemid=144**
 * @http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0212/1224289604216.html**


 * Things to do after we finish**

Night sky –stars often amazingly clear.

Mountain walking and climbing – Nephin Beg, Birreens and Buckoogh. Croagh Patrick (Holy Mt.) – Beyond Westport. Carpark opposite Famine Ship memorial

Eating out – Nevin’s bar and restaurant, Tierenar (Mulranny Road).

Mulranny Park Inn Hotel very cosy and comfortable for drink, coffee, Newport Hotel- bar snacks, restaurant, Graiine Uaille Newport -good bar meals. Traditional music there Thurs. nights. Westport – Spanish, Italian, Indian, fish and chips, Burger bar

Mulranny Strand further on through Mulranny village and turn left. Large boulders/pebbles although can paddle in sandy section on left when tide is out. Pier beyond for rod fishing mackerel?)?

Old Head – beyond Westport on Louisburgh Rd., turn right (trees) – lovely sheltered sandy cove with cliff walks through natural oak forest

Surfing- Achill Island. Beyond Mulranny. Very windy but amazing views and lots of sandy beaches.

Bike hire – Sean Salmon, Westport tel 00353 (0)98 25471

Swimming- Wesport Pool (hats obligatory). Sauna/steam-room/jacuzzi also included in entry price for over 16s.

Horseriding- Carrowmore Stables (Laura) – sharp right-hand turn out Westport Road.

Cinema – Westport (3 Screen Next to Swimming pool off James Street /Castlebar (6 screen)

Theatre- Westport

Traditional Music- Matt Molloy’s Pub, Westport (of Chieftans fame). Hobans the Octagon Westport and many other places

Shopping – Centra in Newport stays open till evening and has cash machine inside

Castlebar – banks, bookshop, music shop, shoe shops. Outdoor/fishing gear, Dunnes Stores- clothes, household, food (including food fresh fish/meat stall), Tesco, Aldi, SpecSavers, Argos, Westport – bookshop, bank with cash machine, outdoor clothes, sports shop, traditional souvenirs, local cheese stall, SupaValu – good supermarket with off-licence and coffee shop, local pottery (beyond town)

Read about newly opened Mulranny Cycle Path on Tourism Pure blog @http://tourismpurewalking.com/blog/-greenway-cycleway-extension-coming-soon or Trek West blog The Mayo Greenway on a Sunny Evening @http://www.trekwesttours.ie/blog/126-a-cloudy-morning-turned-into-a-glorious-summers-evening.html

= Newport-Mulranny Greenway Cycle Way = Great Western Greenway Overview http://www.mayowalks.ie/WalkingTrails/Greenway/Newport-MulrannyGreenway/#d.en.13491

=**Other local events around this time:**= As posted on Discover Ireland website http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/

Mayoyo Up and Down 3th-7th June 2011 starts in Westport takes in Mountain walking including Croagh Patrick @http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/gss/product/?fid=FI_85048

Triburgh Triathlon 4th June Louisburgh near Westport @http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/gss/product/?fid=FI_81229

3rd-5th June Ballymote County Sligo Fleadh Cheoil @http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/product/?fid=FI_85328

Castlebar Blues Festival 3rd-6th June = Irish bank Holiday wknd. @http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/gss/product/?fid=FI_60728

Focus Four 4 Peaks Challenge Delphi 10th-12th June @http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/product/?fid=FI_86192