Tag Archives: away

Weekend Away 2019

Posted on by

This year the weekend away was based around the historic town of Trim in Co. Meath. The organisation was in the very capable hands of Peter Lynch, Denis Wright and Martin Cahill and all the work carried out by their good wives.

The first assembly point was Belturbet with more joining along the route to Lisgrey House. From there it was on to Martry mill, one of the few working water powered mills in the country. After an entertaining talk on everything from the history of the mill, eel fisheries and modern day television programming, many of which were made at the mill, everybody left with a bag of stone ground flour.

Next stop was the Silver Tankard where a much appreciated meal was had, and at a very reasonable price as well. With the inner man (woman) well fortified it was on to our hotel for the weekend, Knightsbrook Hotel, a very impressive location indeed. Some were staying in the Courtyard homes and some in the Hotel itself. Houses were allocated with military precision by Catherine Lynch and Darragh Fay and soon everyone was settled for the night.

The Following morning Peter Lynch ensured there were no hiccups at breakfast time with people in the different locations and then it was off to the Hill of Tara where we worked off some of the breakfast and the overnight rain had cleared thankfully.

From the hill of Tara it was off to the Battle of the Boyne site and a very impressive location it was indeed. The interpretative centre was excellent and the guide wonderful, many of us learned many new facts about the battle and the protagonists. After a relaxing cuppa in the cafe and a leisurely walk around the beautiful gardens it was back to our hotel.

A sumptuous gala dinner was arranged for us in a private suite, the organisers and their spouses were piped to their tables by our very own resident piper Jim Maguire. A very enjoyable night followed.

Sunday morning saw a very leisurely start to the day with a visit to the nearby Trim castle for more history in beautiful weather. From there the cavalcade headed back to Cavan with a stop at Lisgrey house for food and all went their separate ways.

The Club is indebted to the organisers who spared no effort in planning this weekend away. This event has grown over the last few years to become one of the major events in our calendar and continues to grow and we are most thankful to the hard working organisers

Weekend Away 2018

Posted on by

This year the Weekend away was located in Claremorris Co Mayo. After last years tremendous visit to Co. Donegal nobody expected it to be surpassed but no need to worry, we were in for a treat beyond our wildest dreams. The assembly point was the Meadow View car park in Cavan Town. Fourteen cars assembled there plus a motorbike to await our vice chair Peter Lynch who duly arrived with flashing amber lights on the roof of his Audi. This proved to be a master stroke as we all could easily spot him at all the turns, towns & crossroad.

Our first stop was for lunch in Roscommon town, then well fed it was onto Claremorris and the Mc Williams hotel. We even had reserved parking, as we were later to discover Peter had left nothing to chance and had arranged every last detail. The hotel was alive with music. We were greeted by a pianist playing tunes on a grand piano, well maybe that was not for the Breffni Brigade but we claimed it anyway. Food and dancing seemed to be the order of the evening’s enjoyment.

Next morning saw us head for Cong. At Lisloughrey pier we boarded the cruise boat “Isle of Innishfree” for a trip on Lough Corrib to Inchagoill  Island with it’s remains of the first Irish Christian church and the Romanesque (late 12th century) stone church. The nearby pillar maybe the oldest (6th century) Irish inscription in Roman letters in Ireland & in Europe. As we cruised along Ashford castle came into view. Those of us who were at Farmleigh House a few weeks ago, had a sense of De Ja Vieu because all this area was once the holiday home for the Guinness family. On the cruise we were entertained by an octogenarian who played the accordion, sang and told yarns. Not to be outdone Norman Whyte gave a beautiful renditioning of the “Fields of Athenry.”

Then a leisurely drive to Claremorris for a group meal where it was revealed that Catherine & Peter Lynch were celebrating their wedding anniversary and of course we had to toast the happy couple. Not to be outdone our treasurer Patrick Mc Govern was also celebrating a significant birthday and lo and behold a beautifully decorated birthday cake adorned with a master builder was produced, so more celebrations followed and then more music and entertainment.

On Sunday we traveled to Knock for a short visit to find the place thronged. I didn’t think there were so many coaches in the country. Then on the road home with a stop at the “Old Stone House” in Ballinlough which has Cavan connections, of course we were well looked after.

A fabulous weekend with great credit due to Peter Lynch for reorganizing the the event with such care and attention to detail that made all the more relaxed and enjoyable.

2017 Weekend Away

Posted on by

This year for our weekend away we headed for the hills of Donegal or more precisely the Innishowen peninsula. So a motorcade of fourteen cars and two motorcycles set off on Friday morning 6th October for the Innishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana. First port of call was a coffee break at ‘Biddy’s O’Barnes’ at the Barnsmore gap.

Suitably fortified we resumed our journey with Patrick McGovern kept very busy shepherding those of us who strayed from the designated path, to arrive for a very relaxed evening in Buncrana.

Saturday morning dawned a little misty but nothing that could be called rain in Donegal. Leading the cavalcade was George and Myra and boy were we glad they were there with their local knowledge. First stop was the Gap of Mamore, which everybody reached despite a hard climb then it was all downhill to the Donagh Famine village where a full day could easily be spent but time and tide wait for no man and so it was onto Malin Head the most northernly point in Ireland. Some of our intrepid members relived their experience of this place from their exploits on the ‘Honda 50’ run. Then it was back to the hotel in Buncrana for an evening meal.

The group then retired to the bar where we discovered just how talented our group were with a wonderful display of party pieces and dancing.

On Sunday morning it was back to Cavan with everybody full of praise for the organisers namely John Hayes and Norman Whyte who left nothing to chance and covered every detail of this trip. Donegal was just magic. Some members have already started working on next years outing with plans for heading west this time so watch this space