Easter time and COVOC are off on their annual weekend road trip. This year sees our intrepid group heading to Athlone and it’s environs.
The initial group gathered at the dead centre of Kilcock (the cemetery). A fine bright clear day and ideal for driving. First stop to pick up one or two others at the Kinnegad Plaza including Mike in his Abarth 124 Spider. Onwards then to the Tuar Ard Centre in Moate to meet the remaining stragglers and partake of a very pleasant lunch.
Off we go on the final leg taking us to the Athlone Springs Hotel our center of operations for the weekend. All checked in and some headed to the pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna while others gathered in the bar for some drinkies. Isn’t is just amazing how much sweeter alcohol can taste on Good Friday!!! Hic!
7pm and into our private dining area for a most enjoyable meal served up to us in a friendly and very efficient manner. Inevitably the post dinner ceol agus craic commenced with our very own home bred singers and musicians. Roll on day two.
Day 2 (morning). A bright and clear day and our friendly meteorologists tell us we are in store for another dry day. Fully topped up with a full Irish brekki our convoy rolled out of the hotel around 11:30ish and headed towards Abbeyshrule.
Thanks to Denis & Frank we had been invited to partake of Pat & Anne Keenan’s very generous hospitality with them catering for our 25 to 30 strong gang. A splendid spread of teas, coffees, scone’s & biscuits was laid out for us. Then followed a tour of Pat’s workshop and private collection of stunning Vintage, Veteran and Classic motors
Thanks to Denis & Frank we had been invited to partake of Pat & Anne Keenan’s very generous hospitality with them catering for our 25 to 30 strong gang. A splendid spread of teas, coffees, scone’s & biscuits was laid out for us. Then followed a tour of Pat’s workshop and private collection of stunning Vintage, Veteran and Classic motors
Day 2 (Afternoon & Evening). Bidding farewell to our gracious hosts Pat & Anne we took leave of Abbeyshrule and headed for Ballymahon where we made our lunch stop in Skellys.
After our frugal repast we routed through Lanesboro and on to the OPW visitors centre at the Corlea Prehistoric Trackway which dates back to the Iron Age. We enjoyed an excellent audio/video presentation followed by a brief tour given by a very knowledgeable lady.
The Corlea Trackway is an Iron Age trackway, or togher, near the village of Keenagh, south of Longford. It was known locally as the Danes' Road. It was constructed from oak planks in 148–147 BC, making it contemporary with the Siege of Carthage.
Suitably educated we departed for our return to the hotel via Lanesboro and Roscommon. Once again we sat down to an excellent evening meal followed by the now traditional sing song
After our frugal repast we routed through Lanesboro and on to the OPW visitors centre at the Corlea Prehistoric Trackway which dates back to the Iron Age. We enjoyed an excellent audio/video presentation followed by a brief tour given by a very knowledgeable lady.
The Corlea Trackway is an Iron Age trackway, or togher, near the village of Keenagh, south of Longford. It was known locally as the Danes' Road. It was constructed from oak planks in 148–147 BC, making it contemporary with the Siege of Carthage.
Suitably educated we departed for our return to the hotel via Lanesboro and Roscommon. Once again we sat down to an excellent evening meal followed by the now traditional sing song
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) morning. A damp start to the day with a bit of a turn in the weather. However, not to be deterred by a little precipitation we split up into two groups.
Group one myself included took a local bus ride from the hotel to Athlone Castle dock. Mighty craic on the bus. Here we boarded a river cruiser for a most enjoyable 75 minute voyage up the Shannon , out onto Lough Ree to the Hodson Bay and back.
Group two ably led by Maurice embarked on a road trip to the historic Clonmacnoise site.
After lunch the majority of the group paid a visit to the Derryglad Folk Museum. Apologies, no photos from this trip as I gave it a miss to take advantage of the hotel spa jacuzzi and pool.
Finally. A huge vote of thanks to the organisers who have excelled with another rip roaring successful Easter
weekend away.
Group one myself included took a local bus ride from the hotel to Athlone Castle dock. Mighty craic on the bus. Here we boarded a river cruiser for a most enjoyable 75 minute voyage up the Shannon , out onto Lough Ree to the Hodson Bay and back.
Group two ably led by Maurice embarked on a road trip to the historic Clonmacnoise site.
After lunch the majority of the group paid a visit to the Derryglad Folk Museum. Apologies, no photos from this trip as I gave it a miss to take advantage of the hotel spa jacuzzi and pool.
Finally. A huge vote of thanks to the organisers who have excelled with another rip roaring successful Easter
weekend away.
