One of the opportunities that the Athlone-Galway Cycleway will give us it to connect rural communities and get off the beaten track. One of the groups that loves getting off the beaten track is Scouts! We think that Route 5 will offer a great opportunity to Scout Groups not just along Route 5 but for all Galway and Clare Scouts and those further afield. There are a range of activities that Route 5 can offer to Scout Groups
- Hiking
- Camping
- Backwoods crafts
- River activities
At a community family fun day in Gort a few years back, I was a Scout Leader for 17th Galway Gort Scouts and we were cooking some treats for the visitor when we were approached by a scout Group from Normandy in France.
The group had been dropped off In the Sieve Aughties and were to be collected in the Kinvara Pier 3 days later and were making their way through the land. In Gort, they landed on their feet! They were instantly fed and offered a field/lawn on the outskirts of Gort, and they camped, cooked their food and availed of great hospitality (Thanks Martin!) What an idea and adventure for them! -They loved the hospitality they got in South Galway and had an incredible visit.
Shannon to Sea – Scout ‘Camino’
Imagine a Scout ‘Camino’ going from Shannon to Sea, over a few days, camping along they way, doing a diverse amount of activities, visiting other Scout Groups.
- Portumna Forest Park (A)to Woodford (B): 3-4 hours (Orienteering etc)
- Woodford to Crann-og Eco Farm (C): 5 1/2 hours (Stopping in Derrybrien)
- Crann-og Eco Farm to Burren Nature Sanctuary (D) : 5 1/2 hours (Stopping in Coole Walled Garden)
- Choices:
- Head toward Ballinderreen, Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge and Oranmore
- Head to campsite at Traught Beach
Imagine this trip for the different scout groups close to the Route.
- 6th Offaly – Banagher/Lusmagh
- 6th Galway – Killimor
- 30th Galway – Abbey Duniry
- 10th Clare – Mountshannon
- 10th Galway Portumna Scouts
- 3rd Galway Loughrea
- 4th Galway Craughwell
- 17th Galway Gort Scouts
- 28th Galway – Kinvara
- 8th Galway – Oranmore
- 13th Galway – Renmore
What an experience that would be for them! Other Scout groups could also use also.
What a treat it would be , for Scouts to be, hiking free , from Shannon to Sea!
The Slieve Aughty Mountains with high percentage of public land, has opportunity to sustain many kinds of activities and provide adventure for our youth and overall, for a great scouting experience! Many of the places mentioned above have indicated that they would support scout camping so .. we just need to firm up the route!
This type of route could of course also be used by individual hikers and other groups!
Route 5 is by no means guaranteed, so if we want this kind of opportunity – Route 5 needs your support!
And please share with Scout Groups in the area!
Red Route 5 Cycleway 
Hi David you missed out 4th Galway in Craughwell. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have all been up Slieve Aughty which is on our doorstep.
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Hi Jean. Added ye there!
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“One of the opportunities that the Athlone-Galway Cycleway will give us it to connect rural communities and get off the beaten track”
That is not really the purpose of the coast to coast cycleway between Galway to Dublin . The Portumna to Kinevera route is completely out of the way of Athlone/ Ballinasloe route to Galway. Needless addition of kilometers if coming from the East of Athlone. If the tourists were that bothered about these areas, they would be coming , Cyclists won’t be spending money or much time here, while they want to get into Galway , and population wise, the population is north of this route.
Even the addition of Shannon bridge is adding the km count needless. (which is likely to be included due to Clonmacnoise and the fact that South Offaly have prove to be capable to getting cycle trails installed , unlike Galway!!! )
Best of luck with the campaigning all the same. I’m familiar with these roads for cycling. Enjoyable routes. The public in the area need to keep on top of Galway CC if these route isn’t deemed viable
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