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Monaghan Sports Council     Monaghan County Development Board

Boots & Bogs Walking Festival 2016

The fantastic Boots and Bogs festival is back for 2016 and is growing all the time

Following a successful joint venture between Knockatallon Ramblers, Monaghan U3A and Coonian Ramblers in 2015, the event has expanded and it is expected that numbers out walking this year will grow even more over the 4 day festival.

 

Day 1 – Thursday 14th April (Hosted by Monaghan U3A)

Registration in The Westenra Hotel, Monaghan 9.30am – 10.30am.

Tea/coffee will be available.

First walk follows the Greenway to Rossmore Park leaving The Westenra Hotel at 10.30am. Leaving the hotel, we wind our way via the Greenway and along the Ulster canal to Rossmore Park. At the park there will be historical walk including a visit to The Rossmore Mausoleum  (designed by E.J. Tarver)  The Park walk is approximately ninety minutes duration and the Greenway is about twenty-five minutes

Registration fee; €15 euro for one day or €25 for both days.

Includes tea/coffee and a return bus journey to Dartrey on Friday.

 

Festival dinner – Thursday 14th April

The Festival dinner will be at 7.30pm in the Westenra Arms Hotel with Dr Niall Moyna of DCU and RTE’s Operation Transformation fame as guest speaker and this will be followed by music and dancing.

The Festival dinner costs €25 (Booking essential)

 

Day 2 –  Friday 15th April (Hosted by Monaghan U3A)

Registration in the Westenra Arms Hotel 9.00am -9.30am.

Tea/coffee will be available.

 

Morning walk;

Dartrey Estate Walk. Bus to Dartrey departs 9.45am. The estate now operated by Coillte lies in a landscape of forest and a series of lakes joined by the Dromore River. Here we will visit the Dawson Mausoleum designed by James Wyatt in 1770, it is modelled on the Pantheon in Rome and is regarded as “one of the most important 18th century buildings in Ireland”. It is now under reconstruction.

Return to Monaghan 3p.m. Bring a snack.

Registration fee; €15 euro for one day or €25 for both days.

Includes  tea/coffee  and a return bus journey to Dartrey on Friday.

 

 

Afternoon Walk:

This is a guided stroll around Monaghan town at 3.00pm where your guides will relate Monaghan’s past as well as astounding you with details of its architectural gems.

Day 3 – Saturday 16th April (Hosted by Knockatallon Ramblers)

Long walk: Registration is at the Sliabh Beagh hotel at 10.00am Walkers will be transported by bus to the start of the walk and make their return to the Sliabh beagh hotel over Blanket bog and forest tracks. Walkers will enjoy some panoramic views of all 9 counties of Ulster. Duration is 5-6 hrs.

Registration fee: €15

 

Short Walk

The shorter walk will start and finish at the Sliabh Beagh hotel. This walk is a relaxing stroll through country lanes, forest tracks and some light blanket bog with some breath taking views duration 2-3 hrs Refreshments after both walks in the Sliabh Beagh Hotel.

Registration fee: €10.

 

Day4 – Sunday 17th April (Hosted by Coonian Ramblers)

Registration is at Coonian Community Centre in Co Fermanagh at 11.00am

There are 2 walks planned:

Advanced walk will be approx 3 to 4 hrs over forest tracks and blanket bog return to Coonian community hall for refreshments. Short walk 2 to 3 hrs on forest tracks and country lanes return to the community hall for refreshments.

The walks on Sunday take place in the beautiful, unspoilt border region of South Fermanagh. Walkers will enjoy miles of forest trails and a trek across the bog in a rich and diverse ecological habitat. The pollution-free location is an ideal environment for flora and wildlife to flourish. The Coonian Community Centre is signposted at Fivemiletown.

 

Accommodation: The Sliabh Beagh Hotel, situated at the starting point for the Saturday walk is the ideal place to stay for the festival weekend. For a special offer on hotel bookings please phone 047 89014. There will be music in the Sliabh Beagh Hotel lounge on Saturday night.

All walks are guided by experienced members. Waterproof clothing and footwear are strongly advisable. Bring a packed lunch for a stop along the route. For further information on Day 3 and Day 4 walks, contact Paddy Sherry at 087 2525457.