05/09/2023
Clifden Arts Festival walks with Michael Gibbons:
Fund Raising Charity Walk to Omey Féichín in aid of Clifden Community Play-School Building Project.
Date: Sunday Sept 17, 2023 - Omey Féichín
Start Time: 12 Noon, Claddaghduff Church Car Park
Booking To: All bookings in advance to Michael Gibbons @ [email protected], a link will be then shared to purchase tickets.
Cost: €20 pp, all proceeds go to Clifden Community Playschool.
Omey, a tidal island accessible on foot, is a beautiful place of rock and sand and a spiritual place with secret monastic sites. Omey is home to only a few people now, but its many archaeological sites are evidence of a once thriving community, its history mirroring the many waves of change throughout the millennia. St. Féichín founded a Monastery here and his Holy Well is still venerated by local fishermen. The complex coastal Midden Sites are harrowing indications of settlement and erosion. This walk should take about 3 hours and is suitable for all age groups. Walking Shoes/boots are needed plus outdoor gear with small backpack with drink.
Archaeological Field Trip to Inishbofin
Date: Thursday Sept 21, 2023 – Inis Bó Finne
Start Time: 11am, Cleggan Pier
Booking To: All bookings in advance only to Michael Gibbons @ [email protected],
Cost: €50 pp, Ferry Included.
Inishbofin is the largest of a small archipelago of islands and is famed for its magnificent scenery, relaxed lifestyle, and traditional music. With a small population, this beautiful island, 5 miles long by 2 miles wide, has a superb natural harbour guarded by the 17th Century Cromwellian fortress.
To the west, lie the now abandoned islands of Inishshark and Inis Goirt. All three islands have been settled since at least the Bronze Age and contain some of the best surviving Bronze Age landscapes on the western seaboard. First mentioned by the Venerable Bede in the Early 8th century as a refuge for Northumbrian Monks, Inishbofin was raided by the Vikings in 795AD and long retained strong associations with Anglo-Saxon England. Located on the border between the two powerful Gaelic maritime lordships of the O’Malley’s and the O’Flaherty’s, Inishbofin has a turbulent history it was the last Gaelic stronghold to fall to Cromwell and subsequently had strong links with 17th century France and 18th century America. In the 18th century the island was a byword for local smugglers and wreckers. Its fragmented coastline boasts dramatic sea cliffs and sea caves and is home to a rich variety of marine life.
The day will be a series of walks, beginning at 12.15-4.30pm, and is suitable for moderately fit people all age groups. Walking Shoes/boots are needed plus outdoor gear with small backpack with drink, we will stop for a short lunch break.
