Gráine Mhaol Dragon Boat Club had their first social outing of the year, on a lovely sunny day in Achill.
It started off with a swim in the beautiful water of Silver strand in Dugort. Dugort village is steeped in history and it is a perfect place to unwind and relax as you feel that you have stepped back in time with the easy going pace on this part of Achill Island.
When all the swimming and coffee drinking finished, Inara did a little ‘Warm up’ with the group. It was a fun excercise that got everyone in the mood for the day.
Off we went from Achill Rovers soccer pitch, out around the headland, following the waymarkers and led by Maura. We walked for an hour and 15 mins and arrived at The Valley House (only 3/4 of an hour late!)
We met the fabulous Bríd at the House where in the courtyard she told us the factual and fictional stories of the infamous Yellow Lady/Veiled Lady and the Playboy. It was fascinating to hear the story but of course all the more interesting when you hear the fictional add-ons.
We went into the bar then to have some ‘light’ refreshments before Pat and his team at Valley House called us in for our dinner. It certainly wasn’t easy for them, having 32 hungry Dragons descend on them but they managed us all very well.
It was a perfect ending to the perfect day, the food was excellent, we were all happy with ourselves, had great chats, explored parts of Mayo that most had never been to and we will definitely BE BACK.
Many thanks to Teresa Cowley for her amazing organising for this outing and to Maura Walsh for leading and to all the Dragons that were there on the day, to mke it so special. Many thanks also to Bríd and Pat at Valley House for feeding our minds and our bellies. 
