The much anticipated 2024 Offshoot weekend-away enticed 30 members “Way Out West” or, more precisely, The Mulranny Park Hotel in Mayo. In advance, the Offshoot Outings Committee had prepared a guidebook of places of interest and potential locations, which proved to be of great help.
Unfortunately, due to an accurate weather forecast our eagerly awaited plans for sunrise, sunset, and astro shoots had to be shelved. Undaunted, everyone took to the highways and byways of Mayo and returned with an amazing collection of images.
Having checked into the hotel, some drove the short distance to the nearby Murrivaugh Beach to capture some seascapes before the light faded, another group walked directly outside the Hotel along a boardwalk to view the Saltmarches and watch the crashing waves on Mulranny Beach. There were even some upturned caravans in a field which sparked numerous Fr. Ted jokes.
Then it was time return to the hotel and freshen up before meeting for a drink before dinner.
All the hotel staff were extremely helpful and had set aside a separate dining room for us. With three starters, three mains and three desserts to choose from it was a tough choice, but as everything was delicious, you couldn’t go wrong.
By this stage, “most” went off to their rooms for a well-earned sleep for the adventures that lay ahead.
Saturday for some…
Saturday morning started at 6.45am in the hotel lobby. There had been much discussion the night before on the likelihood of a visible sunrise and about 15 decided to give it a try. A number congregated around the wooden bridge hoping it might be a good foreground for the sunrise, but with no colour in the sky it became the main object of attention with long exposures and reflections being the order of the day. Others ventured further afield to seek out photo ops in the soft morning mist but by 8.15, or so, breakfast beckoned.
After a hearty Irish breakfast we broke in groups and headed out. The majority selected Achill Island as the focus, while others journeyed further afield to Downpatrick, the north Mayo coast, and Belmullet.
This group chose Achill and decided to strike out for Keem Bay first and work back. Despite the weather there was much to see and photograph viz. seascapes, abstracts in the sand and long exposures of the waves crashing to the shore. The deserted village was the next venue, with this appearing to be “the centre of gravity” for those travelling both clockwise and anticlockwise. By now it was after 1pm and most the groups descended on the Beehive café for lunch.
The next location were the sea stacks of the cliffs on Ashleam Bay and we spent well over an hour taking photographs at different shutter speeds and focal lengths. The light was not ideal but still it was spectacular; a return trip would definitely be on for a sunset or even an astro-night. By now it was after 4pm and the light was fading.
We had one last stop at Granuaile’s Tower (Grace O’Malley’s Castle) on the route back to the hotel getting back in the twilight at 5.30pm.
Saturday for others…
After sunrise and breakfast at Mulranny, five members headed towards Downpatrick Head. Stopping at Bangor Erris, one member showed her caring nature extends not only to humans but to stray cats, we arrived at Dún Briste(Broken Fort). Helpful tips, advice on seascapes, long exposures and cliff edge safety was provided. Now focused on the great stack stunning photos were captured by all. A brief stop at the Pul na Sean Tinne(hole of the old fire) before moving on to the Ceide Fields for lunch. Here a quick look at the expo and cliff photos were taken before heading to Belderrig Tidal Pool(Pol an tSean tSáile. This natural tidal swimming pool, quaint harbour, cottage, and bridge over the river finished off a wonderful day.
Sunday
For those who had missed Ashleam the previous day, Sunday started at 6.45am. A 20 min drive brought us to our location and a happy hour was spent photographing the sea stacks. Back at the hotel, those who had enjoyed a slower start to the day were finishing breakfast. People left gradually over the course of the morning, some were going straight home while others intended taking more photos on the way. Dun Briste sea stack, Newport and Cong were among the stop-offs listed.
Everyone arrived home safely after a great weekend.
