parkrun #345 location #93
Reason for visit – Wilson Index chasing!
The gap between milestones 250 and 500 is AT LEAST 5 years, so many of us parkrunners set different challenges along the way to keep the journey interesting. One of these is the Wilson Index, where you’ve run at event numbers 1,2,3 etc. I’ve been chipping away at mine recently, thanks to the new local ones at Hillsborough Forest parkrun, Knockbracken Reservoir parkrun and parkrun tourism: Crawfordsburn Country, all of which are about the same age, approaching 100. Newer NI ones at Derrynoid Forest parkrun and Dunleath Playing Fields parkrun are useful for numbers in the 50s and 60s. But there’s always the odd one that I’ve missed out on, and I have to look further afield to grab.
I utilised the very useful Planner feature on the 5k app to try to find an event number 85 that wouldn’t require expensive flights or a weekend away. And found Achill Greenway! I’ve been to Ireland’s largest coastal island several times before, and was looking forward to a repeat visit. I found a wee BnB not too far away, and checked the nearest local bar/ restaurant, which turned out to be Gielty’s, the westernmost bar in Europe.
I booked a table for Friday dinner. I checked the weather forecast and packed a selection of suitable clothes. I contacted the team and volunteered to tail-walk.
And on Thursday, their Facebook page posted something like “well, we really enjoyed event 83 last Saturday, looking forward to this weekend”
Wait, what? Last Saturday was 83? So this Saturday, my visit, would be event 84? How could I have been so careless!
*sigh* Oh well, it would at least be one closer to the 100 events Cowell, and I would enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Access:
It’s a 4 1/2 hour drive from my place, but I took my time, and stopped in Tubercurry for an iced coffee, and an impulse buy in the charity shop. The rain was lashing so I didn’t get to see very much, but it was easing off as I found my way to the Sona Baile BnB in Keel.
The parkrun starts just opposite the GAA pitches, right before the bridge onto the island. Walk about 200m down the path, and the start is where there is a stone gateway.
Course:
It’s an out and back along the greenway. Flat tarmac all the way, but quite exposed. Always windy! Lovely views, if it’s not raining. Marshalls appear from out of thin air, and then disappear again. The turning point is marked with a flag, and as tail-walker I got to carry this back to the previous marshall. “Don’t worry” he reassured me “No-one saw you carrying a Mayo flag!” I replied “Good job I wasn’t wearing my Down jersey!” Come on Down!
Crowd:
There was a half marathon on when I visited, which had depleted the usual body of runners (and volunteers – they’d nearly had to cancel!). But I came in at number 19. A few visitors, including others making their way round all of the Irish events, and a rarely spotted 500 T shirt. There were a couple of walkers, and one dog. First home was a very speedy junior – well done!
Facilities:
Parking is either at the GAA, or the hotel by the bridge, where there are also loos. I joined a few others there for breakfast afterwards, where we did the usual parkrun Top Trumps.
Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:
The Greenway is also used by cyclists, so I didn’t have headphones in so’s I could listen for ding-a-ling bells. But I’d been listening to RTE Lyric in the car, and smiled at Judy Garland’s “Forget your troubles, come on get happy”
Gear:
I wore my Saucony shoes, flowery leggings, 250 T shirt (rendered invisible by my black pac-a-mac), and topped off with my Jog Lisburn bobble hat.
Time:
I’d been jog walking to keep up, so twas a respectable tail time of 47m 16s
And the rest:
Achill is very scenic, you can appreciate why so many painters and artists come here. My Friday dinner in Gielty’s was rather pleasant – the staff are very friendly, and we had a bit of a banter over the comparative merits of Northern or Southern Tayto crisps, and which Mr Tayto was more correctly proportioned. The Oscar winning “Banshees of Inisherin” was filmed near here, so there’s much cashing in on the tourism potential. A “Banshee Burger” was on the menu, but I did raise an eyebrow at the appropriateness of “Gleeson’s cod fingers”.
Instead I tucked into a hearty bowl of chowder, packed with plenty of salmon and served with a slab of wheaten bread.
I had a night cap of a local whiskey named after the pub in the movie, which was smooth with a top note of vanilla and a finish of caramel.
The Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, so after enjoying the playing light on the mountain opposite the BnB I took a quick trip over the hair-raising steep and winding road to Keem strand, a beautiful golden crescent of sand against turquoise seas.
And after the parkrun I stocked up on local souvenirs – southern Tayto, cheesy popcorn, wheaten bread, fancy artisanl cheese and heather infused Grace O’Malley gin. Took a different route home via Carrick-on-Shannon and Clones. Zig-zaggy, but sure it’s good to see roads other than motorways! I did question the sat nav a few times when there appeared to be grass growing up the middle of the “unnamed road” it was taking me along.
Now to research where’s another nearby number 85!
All my parkruns:
NI (and other) parkruns: summary list
Filed under: Ireland, Parkrun, running | Tagged: Wilson Imdex | 1 Comment »
Dancing At Lunacy 