COILL AN EANAIGH (HAZELWOOD) AR ROTHAR!

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On Saturday March 4th Sligo Cycling Campaign was delighted to mark #SnaG23 by leading a Bilingual cycle to Hazelwood.  The group assembled at Calry Church of Ireland at 10 am.  Our youngest participant was 4 months old and the oldest isn't telling! Participants were given a Bilingual leaflet outlining the history of the Hazelwood Estate and describing the recent restoration works undertaken by Coillte.  Sligo Cycling Campaign extends its appreciation to Beatrice McDonald , PRO of  Hazelwood Heritage Society  for the information on the history of the Hazelwood Demesne.   Gemma Woods and Ciaran Hussey looked after marshalling and we were very pleased to be accompanied by Esther Mooney from the HSE Health Promotion unit.

 

On reaching the Coillte Works at Hazelwood, the group turned right and proceeded into the wood via the new path along the Back Road.  Beatrice had explained that the high banks on each side show how this road had been levelled to make it easier for horses and carriages to progress. The levelling was certainly  appreciated by the bicycle riders! Rounding a bend in the road,  Hazelwood  House was visible to our left just as it used to be to the occupants of the visiting carriages in the past .  The House designed by renowned architect Richard Cassels was built for Owen Wynne in 1731.  The site and surrounds are now the location for Lough Gill Distillery and the House is undergoing restoration.   Our  first stop was at the site of the former Windmill which served to pump water to Hazelwood House. The National Gallery of Ireland kindly gave us permission to use photographs of the windmill on our information leaflet.  Participants enjoyed the views of Ben Bulben and the Garavogue.  Leaving the windmill, participants retrieved theri bikes and continued  on to Half Moon Bay where we paused again to admire the views and greet Mr Yeats! The younger participants enjoyed a  picnic which they generously shared  with some grateful ducks!  Our final stop was at Annagh Bay, a feeding area for wintering birds. Beatrice had informed us that the area on the left  had once been a tree nursery where saplings were grown to be planted in forests all over the North West.

 

On returning to Sligo our final stop was at Ripples Café at the Riverside Hotel for well-earned coffee and scones and a further opportunity to practise our Gaeilge. Some of the group had Gaeilge líofa, others were willing but a bit rusty and we even had an adult learner.     

We were joined at Ripples by Áine Dubose  agus Deborah Ní Cheallaigh from Aonad Loch Gile. Frank Feehan TD, Councillor Marie Casserly  Leas-Cathaoirleach Sligo Co Co and Emer Concannon  Acting DOS Infrastructure and Environment Sligo Co Co.

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Sligo Cycling Campaign extends its thanks to Conradh na Gaeilge for sponsoring our cycle, to Ripples Café for looking after us so well and to our cyclers and supporters. Beidh lá eile ar na rothair againn go luath!

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Check out the gallery below from the day!

Scroll through the pictures by clicking on the right and left arrows.

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