The Ultimate Umbrella – our new roof

Jan,2024

Moorehall Adventure for GMDBC

Sep,2023

Sunday September 10th saw 29 members  of the Club arrive at the beautiful Moorehall, where the group were split in 2 so as 1 half went on the walk to the House and the other half went out on the water of Lough Carra with the Castlebar Kayak Club. Muriel from Ballintubber Abbey gave a fantastic account of the Moore famiy history from the 1600s and fascinating it was too. All the group that were kayaking came off the water ecstatic with their experience so both groups were happy to swap around, for it all to be repeated and it proved again to be a big success with both groups. Maura had her car full of home baked goodies to ward off the munchies. The sun was out in full for the day despite the promise of rain, so the umbrellas managed to stay in the cars.

Many thanks to the Castlebar Kayak Club and Tara O Brien for all the instruction on the water. Many thanks to Sean Roberts, Gerry, Maura and Mary for the lend of their Kayaks. Many thanks to Muriel for her knowledge of the area, Maura for her lovely treats and to Teresa for her signs on the road , so as we didn’t get lost. Thanks to our social committee (Maura, Teresa and Helen) for organising a great day out and all the fab dragons that turned up and made it a very special team bonding event. 

The Dragons hit the Island

Jul,2023

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.

Getting on Top of it

Jul,2023

OPW, Cllr .Ger Deere and Mayo County Council are on top of the weeds this year and what a fantastic job they have made.

The weeds in the water this time of year is and has been a problem at many lakes the length and breadth of the County but for Lough Lannagh, at the heart of Castlebar, it has been a huge inconvenience over the years with all the water sports enthusiasts and the many other users of this fantastic facility.

Weather has played a big part in affecting when this clearing happens each year but this year they team were on the ball and did a fantastic job before the weeds became a problem.

We at The Gráine Mhaol Dragon Boat Club are so thankful to all involved as it makes what we do , a lot easier and sure who doesn’t like a bit of easy