Climbing Croagh Patrick and Westport

Last weekend we had a field trip to a beautiful small town about an hour and a half north west from where we are staying; Westport. When I looked up Westport and things to do, it was obvious that it was an outdoorsy, adventurous place to go. For example, the main attractions are climbing Croagh Patrick (a mountain), biking or walking the Greenway, or doing various other walking/hiking trails. So as long as the weather was nice (fingers crossed) I knew it was going to be a good time...and even if it did rain (it always does) I figured it would still be fun.

On our journey to Westport we stopped at a few different scenic locations for pictures and a break from the bus. One such place was Croagh Patrick. Croagh Patrick is a famous mountain in Ireland, because it is named after the Patron Saint, St. Patrick, who is said to have fasted on this mountain for 40 days, and is now a huge pilgrimage for people in Ireland. About half of our group (9 of us) made it all the way up to the top, and although I was the last one of us 9, I still made it. Luckily the weather was pretty good, and we were only hit with a few spots of rain. Although my legs were sore for quite a few days afterward, I was proud of myself for making it.

See that mountain? Climbed it. 

Michael and I looking pretty worn out at the top of Croagh Patrick.

After climbing Croagh Patrick, we went to our hostel and then found food to eat (we were all starving after climbing a mountain!) and enjoyed some of the nightlife in Westport. The next day, a group of us decided to walk the scenic route of the Greenway on our way to the Westport House (as much as I wanted to bike that day, my legs were not having it). It was a beautiful, scenic route and I could definitely see why the Greenway was such a popular attraction. The grounds on the Westport House were gorgeous, and I was definitely grateful for the journey. Although my legs were super sore, they felt better after walking. After this journey, we were planning on visiting some of the cute little shops in Westport (and buying the "I climbed Croagh Patrick" t-shirt we saw in the window of one) but because it was Sunday, everything was closed. Despite that disappointment, I thought Westport was a beautiful town (it has won awards for being so clean) and I am happy I can now say that I have climbed a mountain.

Just throwin' up our Lopes on the beautiful grounds of the Westport House.

Oh look! Michael found Humpty Dumpty at the Westport House.