ISKA Meet April 4th / 5th Killary

[niallmadden]

Hi all,
I know it\'s a long way off, but the first proper ISKA meet of the year will take place in Killary, April 4-5. Ciaran Clissmann will be leader, or \"Fjord escort\", if you prefer.

My main reasons for posting at this early stage are
[ol][li]to use that pun before someone else does.
[/li][li]give details about the accommodation.
[/li][/ol]
The meet will be based at the Killary Sleepzone Hostel, 5km from Leenane, on the sunny Southern shore of Killary.

They have a range of accommodation: dorms from 4 to 10 beds, and a small number of double/twin rooms. The also have a good amount of camping; campers have access to all the hostel facilities (except the beds, one presumes): showers, residents\' bar \"with wine licence\", internet and wifi access, self-catering kitchen, etc.

To book accommodation, contact the Sleepzone Galway office directly by email at [url=mailto:info@sleepzone.ie]info@sleepzone.ie[/url], or phone 091 566999.
Important: when you are booking, say that you are with the ISKA group and so get a discounted rate of €15 pppn for dorms and €25 pppn for the double/twins.
If possible book early, because we don\'t have the place block-booked.

Any questions? Port here or email me at NMadden-at-Eircom.net.
See you there!

Niall.
--
086-8585780
NMadden-at-Eircom.net

[Chancer]

No harm Niall to get everyone Fjord Focused as early as possible as this is the only thing resembling ad Fjord in Ireland. Some guys will likely want to try our their Fjord Transits as they cross from one side to the other unless they are banjaxed from their Fjord Fiesta in the \'Wine Licenced\' residents bar the night before.
Mick

[ciaranclissmann]

While the meet is \'Killary\' and the sleep zone is, well, SleepZone, we\'ll only do much paddling inside Killary if the weather craps out.

Otherwise, if we get nice conditions, options include Crump and its neighbour whose name I forget, those lovely little rocky islets up past Uggool on the N side of Killary, Inishbroon and Renvyle peninsular, the sheltered joys of Ballinakill harbour, Ilaunanama (if it\'s really really calm) and even Inishbofin.

If the weather is poor, we may all end up in Ballinakill harbour, which is at least a bit more interesting than Killary, and less of a wind tunnel.

As usual, actual plans won\'t be formulated until a couple of days before, or finalised until the night before/morning.

Incidentally, this is a good meet to bring hiking boots, in case you decide that walking is a more attractive option (in high wind, say). Walking around there is really very nice indeed.

Ciaran [#1 Connemara fan]

[DaveWalsh]

Carlingfjord?

[niallmadden]

Reminder: When booking the hostel, say you are with ISKA to get the discount (which makes it quite affjordable...)

I would include some pun regarding the Beaufjord scale, but that might over doing it.

Niall.

[ciaran]

Hi All,

the Killary meet is almost upon us.

I was in Connemara ten days ago, just to check that it\'s all still there, and can confirm that the coastline is some of the nicest around.

At this stage, you should have your booking in SleepZone organised and be ready to go!

Weather for the week up to Friday appears reasonable, with more unsettled weather appearing over the weekend, but so far no major indicators of heavy winds.

Please be sure to bring
- a waterproof/windproof layer to wear when out of the kayak, at lunch, etc. A poncho is ideal.
- woolly hats
- pogies or gloves - the water\'s pretty cold
- a flask for hot drinks
- a VHF if you have one
- a MAP and a COMPASS. Everyone should have one of each, and use it!
- your ISKA membership monies for 2009, if you haven\'t paid up yet!!
- an application form, duly filled out.

The weather may (!) be nice, but the water still thinks it\'s winter, and so does the wind. I got snowed on, on Saturday.

Regarding food, I\'d suggest that you bring breakfast and lunch/sandwich stuff. For dinner...

- you can cook in the hostel (I presume!!)
- there\'s decent grub in the Bard\'s Den and Veldons, both Letterfrack,
- there\'s grub advertised in the Hotel in Leenane, but I\'ve never eaten there - anyone have any comments?

Pints - Hamiltons and Gaynors, both in Leenane village, are both pretty nice pubs. Hamilton\'s is my personal preference. Don\'t go on the lash, aim to be on the water around tennish Sat and Sun mornings.

ciaran

[niallmadden]

Hi folks,
There is still some room left in the hostel: 30 beds Friday night, 8 of Saturday. Contact Sleepzone by email at info@sleepzone.ie, or phone 091 566999 to book. Tell them you are with ISKA to get the discount.

Directions: Go to Leenane, take the N59 towards Clifden, turn right after 5km, signposted \"Sleepzone Connemara\". Or, using the map and compass that Ciaran advised you bring, get yourself to Grid ref L 817 620 (hint: here it helps not only to have a map, but in particular one of the area. The 37 is good, as is Sheet 11 for those who like the retro-chic of the 1/2 inch series).
Further directions available at http://www.sleepzone.ie/Contact_Details ... lt.93.html

I\'ll bring some copies of the membership form for those who want to join on the day. €20 buys you a year of happy paddling.

Hope to see you there.
Niall
nmadden-at-eircom.net
086-8585780

[tee]

ciaran wrote:

- you can cook in the hostel (I presume!!)
- there\'s decent grub in the Bard\'s Den and Veldons, both Letterfrack,
- there\'s grub advertised in the Hotel in Leenane, but I\'ve never eaten there - anyone have any comments?

there\'s also Pangur Ban in Letterfrack http://www.pangurban.com/
and Portfinn Lodge in Leenane http://www.hotelinconnemara.com/
Don\'t know if they\'ll be open though

Pints - Hamiltons and Gaynors, both in Leenane village, are both pretty nice pubs. Hamilton\'s is my personal preference. Don\'t go on the lash, aim to be on the water around tennish Sat and Sun mornings.
ciaran

pjints also available in Tjully Cross which may be closer depending on where you\'re staying

Gjerry

[ciaran]

If only I was as rich as Gerry, I too would have listed Pangur Ban and Portfinn.... the latter is really quite nice, but rather genteel.

Pints in Coynes pub in Tully Cross or pool, TV and chips in the Anglers Rest (I think it\'s called) or the soul-less hotel, are indeed an option. I know one Killary meet there was savage pints had in Tully Cross. An unnamed chairperson drove us all back to the beach at Glassillaun, where there wuz camping.

[tee]

ciaran wrote:

If only I was as rich as Gerry, I too would have listed Pangur Ban and Portfinn.... the latter is really quite nice, but rather genteel.

fair enough, portfinn is somewhat genteel but I would rate Pangur Ban as worth a detour, even for a down and out self-employed who banked on the celtic pussy-cat purring for little longer

Pints in Coynes pub in Tully Cross or pool, TV and chips in the Anglers Rest (I think it\'s called) or the soul-less hotel, are indeed an option. I know one Killary meet there was savage pints had in Tully Cross. An unnamed chairperson drove us all back to the beach at Glassillaun, where there wuz camping.

If I remember correctly we got lost, I believe on the way to the pub but it could well have been on the way back - at that point, who gives a toss.

purrrrrrr..... or should that be meeouch

g