Tackle Mayo's Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walk and raise funds for Croí

The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival, a one-day event, will take place on Saturday, April 27, and the proceeds from the event will go to Croí, the heart and stroke charity.

The walk will be guided, with a registration fee of just €25. This will cover bus transport from Murrisk to the starting point at Aghagower Community Centre, where refreshments will be provided, lunch in Brackloon, and further evening refreshments upon returning to Murrisk.

The route stretches 20km from its beginnings at Aghagower to Murrisk. The trail has some of the finest landscape Ireland has to offer, especially as you approach Croagh Patrick and look down over the many islands of Clew Bay.

The beautiful Atlantic oaks of the magical Brackloon Wood are also something to behold. Walkers can also enjoy the historic Deerpark, which was built by the Normans to house the fallow deer that they brought to Ireland, and the 6,000-year-old rock art engravings of the Boheh Stone.

The entire Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a 60km stretch, which usually takes three days to walk, and it runs from Balla to the foot of Croagh Patrick. This year, however, the festival is only taking on the final stretch of the walk, although that may change next year to include the entire 60km.

People are advised to book on the Croí website at www.croi.ie/croaghpatrick. It will be possible to pay with cash in person on the day of the festival as well.

For more information on the trail, visit www.cpht.ie/trail or email the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail at info@cpht.ie.