Wild Atlantic Matchmaking Festival’s ‘Big Day Out’

On Saturday morning some survivors from Friday’s Wild Atlantic Matchmaking revels gathered by the Lake Isle of Innisfree for a ‘Big Day Out’ comprising a guided canoe trip on Lough Gill, a guided tour on electric bikes and a ‘sensory’ nature walk lead by Tina Pommer of Leitrim Landscapes.

The “Big Day Out” participants were rewarded for their early rising efforts with a stunning morning of drifting mists over Lough Gill’s mirror-calm waters with Adrienne and Graham from Adventure Gently, guided canoe tours, leading the group into the River Bonet where, as the cobwebs were blown away’ the festival goers enjoyed craic and banter in magical surroundings.

As the day progressed the group enjoyed not only the area’s gorgeous scenery and wildlife, but wonderfully warm sunshine.  Could this really be North West Ireland in mid October?

People then had more chance for a bit of banter and chat as their route took them along a quiet country road from Innisfree to Creevalea Abbey and back, while cycling effortlessly over the hills on electric bikes led by Eileen Gibbons of Electric Bike Trails, Leitrim Village.

To wind up the event Tina Pommer led the group on a sensory walk on part of the Sligo Way.  During the walk, adapted from a meditative Japanese dance form called ‘body weather’ which explores the perimeter between the body and its environment, she charmed the group into developing mindfulness and self discovery.

All this fresh air and exercise was then offset by an impromptu music session and pint in Stanford’s Pub, Dromahair.

This event will be held again in October 2015, so why not join us then?

Here are a selection of photos from the day.