Friday 10 October 2014

WESTPORT CO MAYO

Some Mallow Active Retired members together with members from Retired Peoples Network, Boherbue and Kilshannig have just returned from a 3 night trip to Westport with Joe Enright Coach Tours staying at The Westport Woods Hotel. We travelled up the west and through Connemara stopping at Ennis, Spiddal and Leenane for refreshments all the while being given information about the area we were travelling through and entertained with music and song.We got a great welcome at the hotel and after checking into our rooms we had a drinks reception and a wonderful meal followed by Bingo, cards, and music song and dancing for the rest of the night.This set the tone for the 3 nights of our stay.
On the first day we visited Achill Island where we saw some wonderful sights. Joe entertained us all the way with stories about the area and the people. We had several refreshment stops of course , it wouldn't be the same without that.We saw the new cycle path which goes all the way from Westport to Achill, which I think is a marvellous idea.Among the places we visited  I was taken with the Blue Bicycle Vintage Cafe in Newport. Tea and coffee is served in China cups and they have odd cups saucers , plates and teapots in china which I think is a lovely idea. They have a collection of china teapots as well  and of course the home cooked food was delicious . For me the strawberry and blueberry cream sponge cake, for Eileen the apple tart and ice cream and for Rene the home made soup and brown bread!
On the 2nd day we visited Foxford Woolen mills and had a tour of the museum.We were highly impressed with the standard of the museum and the story behind it .Later we called to the Museum of Country Life and again we were highly impressed.Joe kept us going with tales of the area we were travelling in.On our way back to the hotel we drove to the Quay at Clew Bay and on a little farther we stopped at the Shebeen for a drink and a sing song.
All in all we had a wonderful time and made new friends as the crowd jelled very well together. We hope we will be able to travel together again some time.

Loves young dream.
Ann Moira Liz and Rita

Don't let the fire out!
Rene John and Margaret
Noreen and Hot Whiskey
At the Shebeen
Bridie John and Eileen
Joan going to work. (photo N Lucey)
Sonny, Joe and Joan at Westport. (photo N Lucey)


2 comments:

  1. The recent trip to Westport was so fantastic that Eileen and i were lonesome to be coming home on Thursday.We are so lucky to have Active Retirement Ireland and better still we are so lucky to have Mallow A R I headed by Margaret McCarthy and her brillant committee that take care of organising all our activities,such as Day Trips,Art Classes, Computer and photography classes,holiday events etc,etc,etc,Just think about all the preparation which in turn makes it so easy for our members to get involved.
    Coming back to our Westport trip the Hotel was beautiful and the choice of menu was excellent.Now what can we say about Joe Enright Tours, Joe is a very unique guy,firstly he organises the trips,drives the coach,imparts his knowledge of the Areas to all on Board,provides complementary chilled water from the on board fridge,and we all had a complementary drink of our choice at Cronins Sheebeen in Westport.
    Looking at the Calender of Events for the next quarter which will be a busy period and i hope that members will reflect and think about taking committee positions for 2015
    John noel Cronin

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  2. Thanks John Noel for the compliments. Hope I wont get a swelled head now ! Glad you enjoyed the trip anyway.

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