Rural crew heads for the west!
THERE was a lively atmosphere on the coaches that travelled up to Westport, County Mayo, as the Rural Men’s Project helped bring 92 people from rural parts of the county up to the west of Ireland on Sunday. The contingent was mainly made up of men – but a few ladies made the long journey also for the two-night stay at the Castlecourt Hotel.
It’s not unusual to see the group taking on day trips – but South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) Rural Development Officer Joseph McCrohan explained that this week’s trip was a relatively new concept for them.
“We’ve stayed overnight in Belfast once before, but other than that, this was a first time,” he told The Kerryman. “We had coaches leave from Waterville, Kenmare, and Annascaul, collecting at points along the way, focusing on south, mid, and parts of west Kerry. Our day trips and the likes have been very successful in the past, so we said we’d try something different – and it was a huge success.”
Transport up to Mayo was organised by Local Link Kerry, and the €190 fee for the outing covered all transport, B&B for two nights, one dinner, as well as museum visits.
Kevin Griffin of South Kerry Development Partnership was in Mayo before the trip back down yesterday (October 2), and he was also delighted with how the venture unfolded.
“We didn’t know how willing people would be to stay over for two nights, but it’s one of the biggest outings we’ve had yet...We’ve had some nice meals, good music, and a tour out to Achill Island.”
The trip was scheduled to end yesterday with trips to the Museum of Country Life and the Michael Davitt Museum – and, by all accounts, this has to be chalked down as yet another successful venture for the group.