Castlebar International 4 Days Walks

05/11/2026

We wish to sincerely thank Councillors Ger Deere, Harry Barrett, Donna Sheridan and Blackie Gavin for their generous financial support of the Castlebar International 4 Days’ Walks.

This funding is essential in helping us keep this wonderful festival going and ensuring that the tradition of walking, and ‘the Walks’ themselves, remain very much alive in Castlebar. With next year marking the 60th anniversary of the festival, we are extremely grateful for this support, along with all the sponsorship we receive, as we begin planning some big celebrations to mark this incredible milestone.

We are greatly indebted to these Councillors for their continued support and commitment to the Walks. It is very much appreciated.

Ger Deere - Mayo County Councillor Castlebar Municipal - Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan Blackie Gavin barrett

03/11/2026

We are delighted to have the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ireland, Maaike van Koldam, officially launch online registration for the 60th Castlebar International 4 Days' Walks in this special video message.

It makes the occasion all the more special given the connection between Mayo and the Netherlands through the EU Presidency pairing, as Ireland and the Netherlands work closely together and celebrate the friendship and connections between our two countries, with Mayo having a special part to play in that relationship.

We are very grateful to Ambassador van Koldam for supporting the festival and help us mark the beginning of what promises to be a very special year for the Walks.

2027 marks 60 years of walking, friendship and wonderful memories in Castlebar!

Registration is now OPEN!

Don't miss out on being part of this special anniversary. We would love to welcome you to Castlebar.

Watch the Ambassador's message and register now using the link below!

https://www.castlebar4dayswalks.ie/

01/11/2026

A busy few weeks, A recce out in the hills. A pleasure to meet Ambassador Maaike Van Koldam from the Netherlands also Ann Derwin Ambassador of Ireland to the Netherlands.
IML walk in Fulda Germany where I completed my
Attended the Wild Atlantic Words for the launch of Mark Mellett new book Blue Heart.
Met the new Mayor of Höchstadt which is twinned with Castlebar Alexander Schulz.
Was at a fair in ATU for Mayo Volunteer Centre where we chatted with Aiden from CRCfm

30/10/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate Ernie Sweeney, a true cornerstone of the Castlebar International 4 Days’ Walk for the last 60 years, on being named in the year’s Rehab Connaught Telegraph People of the Year awards. 🏆👏

Over sixty years of dedication, commitment and community spirit is something very special so this award is well deserved.

Ernie’s contribution, and that of his family, has helped shape the Walks into the much-loved event it is today, and we’re so grateful for everything he’s given.

Well done Ernie. We’re delighted for ya!! 🌟🎉

22/10/2026

Huge thank you to Ronan and everyone at Lough Lannagh Village for facilitating our meeting today with Ambassador van Koldam.

Thoroughly enjoyed your tour of the fantastic facilities and very grateful for all the support, year in and year out, you give to the walkers.

Embassy of the Netherlands in Ireland

It was a real pleasure to welcome Ambassador Maaike van Koldam, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ireland, to Lough Lannagh Holiday Village during her visit to Castlebar 🇮🇪🇳🇱

The Ambassador was in Castlebar meeting members of the Castlebar International 4 Days Walks committee ahead of two very special anniversaries next year — 60 years of the Castlebar International 4 Days’ Walks and 40 years of the International Marching League (IML).

Castlebar has a brilliant connection with the Netherlands and with walking. The idea for our own International Four Days’ Walks came from a group of Castlebar business people who travelled to the famous Nijmegen Four Days Marches and brought the idea home, leading to Castlebar’s first event in 1967.

Nearly 60 years later, that connection is still going strong.

Lovely to have the opportunity to welcome Ambassador van Koldam to Lough Lannagh — and hopefully next time we’ll get to welcome her back for a little longer and a stay in one of our cottages! 😊

21/10/2026

This is great news for our walkers from Netherlands and those in IML Walking Association that are travelling to Mayo next year to partake in the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of our festival and the 40th anniversary of the IML.

Ireland West Airport is delighted to announce that Dutch tour operator BBI Travel will resume direct flights from Groningen Airport Eelde to Ireland West Airport in summer 2027 😍

Starting Monday 26th April, the weekly service will operate every Monday between April and September 2027. This will boost tourism in the West of Ireland, as the service will provide the only direct access from the Netherlands to the West and Northwest of Ireland for summer 2027 ✈️ ☘️

Read the full story here - https://www.irelandwestairport.com/news/ireland-west-airport-announces-new-service-from-groningen/ 🌟

11/07/2026

Set 11 from the 2026 Castlebar International 4 Days Walks.
I will have another look at some of the photographs I have not uploaded and will post them over the week-end, so stay in touch!
Frank Fullard

10/07/2026

Set 10 from the 2026 Castlebar International 4 Days Walks.
I still have some more photographs to share, so stay in touch!
Frank Fullard

09/07/2026

Set 9 from the 2026 Castlebar International 4 Days Walks.
I still have more photographs to share, so Set 10 to follow and possibly a few more after that, so stay in touch!
Frank Fullard