First ran in 1975, the Maamturks challenge has been a focal point of hillwalking in Ireland for over 40 years. Situated between the beautiful communities of Maam and Leenane, the nature of the event is considered unique both within and outside of Ireland.
Participants are required to complete a full transverse of the famous Maamturks mountain range, a notoriously barren and rock terrain. With ridges, cliffs and numerous valleys, participants in the walk are generally some of the most experienced hillwalkers Ireland has to offer. Despite the challenge of the event, it is rare to only ever participate once. Many participants are drawn back each year as an annual pilgrimage to meet with friends from around the country.
Ran by Students
Each year, over 50 students from NUI Galway Mountaineering club take time out of their studies to organise and staff this event for the benefit of the hillwalking community in Ireland as well as the local communities. On the day of the event, support is provided by Galway Radio Experimenters Club , Galway Mountain Rescue and the local landowners.
Participants
Despite the challenge of the event, it is rare for a participant to only ever complete it once. Every year over 70% of our participants return to complete the challenge again. “It’s a great hill walking experience and an opportunity to meet walkers from all over Ireland “
Community
The event is based between the communities of Leenane and Maam. These are some of the few traditional Irish communities that remain on the west coast. The event brings over 400 people to these areas across the weekend, many participants bringing friends and family to experience these areas.
UNIQUE MOONLIGHT CYCLE THROUGH CONNEMARA
WITH A FULL MOON AS YOUR CHAPERONE CHOOSE FROM 100KM AND 60KM DISTANCES ALONG THIS MAGNIFICENT PART OF THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY.
THE JOURNEY
This is not a race but a journey. Starting just before sunset you will cycle into the darkness. Enjoy the night time quiet while the light from the moon and stars help to guide your way.
THE ROUTE
The start and finishing points for 2017 have changed. You will start out from the Station House Hotel, Clifden, Co Galway. Your route is entirely on sealed roads and will pass through deep valleys, alongside still lakes and rugged coastline. Refreshment stops will be provided along the way.
THE REASON
This is an ideal way to kick-start your cycling for the year or to push you that little bit further. It is also just a wonderful way to spend a moonlit evening in April.
Every Friday morning, the town of Clifden comes alive to the sounds of rattling metal poles, the popping of tents and the chatter of the street traders that all come together to form the farmers’ market on the aptly named Market Square.
The Clifden Farmer’s Market has a wide variety of producers selling their fresh produce to the general public. Be sure to arrive early, as most of the produce and stalls are gone by noon There’s a good selection of organic vegetables, homemade breads, pies, herbs, fruits, flowers, plants and some clothing.
There sheep sale is held every Saturday and begins at 11am. They have large amounts of blackface sheep and crossbreds with few texels, suffolks, etc. They pride ourselves with having large amounts genuine Connemara/Mayo mountain sheep. The sheep sale is on Saturdays all year around.
They hold weekly cattle sales on Saturdays after the sheep sales at approximately 12:30 pm. Maam Cross Mart pride themselves in having genuine cattle from North Mayo to South Connemara and beyond. Cows lead our sale, followed by bulls, heifers and heifer weanlings, bullocks, and bull weanlings. As the year goes on and numbers get bigger, they move the cattle sale to Monday evenings. This usually occurs in late July.
Monthly horse sales from April to December. Maam Cross stands as the gateway to Connemara and as such, we have genuine Connemara pony for sale. The Connemara breed is world renowned and has a great reputation and being located where we are, we have our sale on the first Friday of every month starting April 6th. Limited lots on the day so please fill an entry form in advance. (Text taken from http://www.maamcrossmart.com/)
Every Friday morning, the town of Clifden comes alive to the sounds of rattling metal poles, the popping of tents and the chatter of the street traders that all come together to form the farmers’ market on the aptly named Market Square.
The Clifden Farmer’s Market has a wide variety of producers selling their fresh produce to the general public. Be sure to arrive early, as most of the produce and stalls are gone by noon There’s a good selection of organic vegetables, homemade breads, pies, herbs, fruits, flowers, plants and some clothing.
There sheep sale is held every Saturday and begins at 11am. They have large amounts of blackface sheep and crossbreds with few texels, suffolks, etc. They pride ourselves with having large amounts genuine Connemara/Mayo mountain sheep. The sheep sale is on Saturdays all year around.
They hold weekly cattle sales on Saturdays after the sheep sales at approximately 12:30 pm. Maam Cross Mart pride themselves in having genuine cattle from North Mayo to South Connemara and beyond. Cows lead our sale, followed by bulls, heifers and heifer weanlings, bullocks, and bull weanlings. As the year goes on and numbers get bigger, they move the cattle sale to Monday evenings. This usually occurs in late July.
Monthly horse sales from April to December. Maam Cross stands as the gateway to Connemara and as such, we have genuine Connemara pony for sale. The Connemara breed is world renowned and has a great reputation and being located where we are, we have our sale on the first Friday of every month starting April 6th. Limited lots on the day so please fill an entry form in advance. (Text taken from http://www.maamcrossmart.com/)
Registartion will take place at Supervalu Clifden on Saturday April 22nd and online shortly.
The 3rd Darkness Into Light Clifden Walk / Run will take place on Saturday May 6, 2017. Leaving from Clifden Town Hall at 04.15am following the route up Sky Road, down to Clifden Beach and along Clifden Bay back to the Town hall where there will be refreshments.
The good people of Clifden will watch the sun rise on behalf of Pieta House on May 6th! Surrounded by rugged mountains and breathtaking scenery, the coastal town in the heart of Connemara was the landing spot for Alcock and Vickers after their journey from Newfoundland and Darkness Into Light, although shorter in distance, will be no less significant in importance.
For more information about Darkness Into Light Clifden, please email Tom McEvoy at diltommcevoy@gmail.com, phone 093 25587 or, alternatively, visit their Facebook page.
Day: Saturday
Date: May 6th
Distance: 5km circuit
Time: 4.15am
Starts/finishes at The Town Hall
Important Information:
1. You MUST print your receipt and bring it on the morning to pick up your t-shirt.
2. Late registration on the morning does not guarantee a t-shirt.
3. Please arrive by 4am. Please also allow time for parking.
4. Bring your torch.
5. Please respect traffic wardens and follow any instructions on arrival.
6. Please place any litter in bins provided.
7. There will be no storage for personal items during event, so please come ready to walk/run.
The Connemara International Marathon is one of the world’s most scenic events, set in the dramatic scenery of the west of Ireland. growing in numbers each year from 73 runners to our sell out point, in excess of 3,000 runners. Connemarathon will take place on Sunday 23rd April 2017. We look forward to meeting you!
The event comprises of half, full and ultra (39.3 mile) marathons. Participants will enjoy some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery as they meander through bogs, hills, lakes, and the twelve pins mountain range, rising up over the great expanse of Killary Lough, through the sleepy village of Leenane, around the Maam Turk Mountains and all the way up to Maam Cross.
The Connemarathon attracts runners and walkers from all over the world. In 2014 participants came from 28 countries to experience the stunning course. Our international participants enjoy a warm Irish welcome along with the sense of comradeship on the route and the unmistakable buzz of the day. No other sporting event gives people such a taste of Ireland and its highlights.
Every Friday morning, the town of Clifden comes alive to the sounds of rattling metal poles, the popping of tents and the chatter of the street traders that all come together to form the farmers’ market on the aptly named Market Square.
The Clifden Farmer’s Market has a wide variety of producers selling their fresh produce to the general public. Be sure to arrive early, as most of the produce and stalls are gone by noon There’s a good selection of organic vegetables, homemade breads, pies, herbs, fruits, flowers, plants and some clothing.
There sheep sale is held every Saturday and begins at 11am. They have large amounts of blackface sheep and crossbreds with few texels, suffolks, etc. They pride ourselves with having large amounts genuine Connemara/Mayo mountain sheep. The sheep sale is on Saturdays all year around.
They hold weekly cattle sales on Saturdays after the sheep sales at approximately 12:30 pm. Maam Cross Mart pride themselves in having genuine cattle from North Mayo to South Connemara and beyond. Cows lead our sale, followed by bulls, heifers and heifer weanlings, bullocks, and bull weanlings. As the year goes on and numbers get bigger, they move the cattle sale to Monday evenings. This usually occurs in late July.
Monthly horse sales from April to December. Maam Cross stands as the gateway to Connemara and as such, we have genuine Connemara pony for sale. The Connemara breed is world renowned and has a great reputation and being located where we are, we have our sale on the first Friday of every month starting April 6th. Limited lots on the day so please fill an entry form in advance. (Text taken from http://www.maamcrossmart.com/)