There’s no time to lose! Anois an t-am! An bhfuil dúshláin ag teastáil uait?
Start planning your next Connemara and the Islands adventure challenge and get your training in. Whether you want to run, cycle, swim or kayak your way around Connemara or the Islands there’s a Connemara Challenge with your name on it. If you need a place to stay then check out our places to stay or if you want to extend your stay there’s lots to see and do in the region.
Má tá tú ag iarraidh rith, rothaíocht, snámh agus cadhaiceáil thart ar Chonamara agus na hOileáin tá dúshláin le d’ainm air. Tá áiteanna le fanacht anseo nó má tá tú ag iarraidh eolas ar rudaí le déanamh téigh i dteagmháil linn.
Off Road Biking – Rothaíocht Easbhóthair
Coillte Bike Blitz takes place at Derroura trails on the 3rd of March 2024. It’s part of a series of 7 events primarily aimed at beginners but has something for everyone. Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Network, is over 16 km in length located just past Oughterard. The Coillte trails here will offer you views north into the Maam valley and westwards to the Twelve Bens and to the Corrib.
The Gravel Grinder event Organised by Galway Bay Cycling Club took place in August 2023 so keep an eye on their website for details for 2024. The event started in Moycullen and goes on to the Galway Wind Park nearby. The mostly off road event takes place on forest roads, farm tracks and the gravel tracks at the Wind Park.
Run – Rith
The 21st Connemara Marathon takes place on 21st of April 2024. This challenge offers a Half Marathon,Marathon and Ultra option and winds it’s way through beautiful scenery. There is an occasional hill including ”The hell of the west” but the scenery makes up for the challenge.
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If the marathon seems like too much why not consider Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run a 5km or 10km road race which place on Saturday the 20th of April 2024 on Inis Oirr or the
Inis Iron Meáin | 10K & 5K Race takes place 1st May 2024. The Inishbofin Half Marathon or 10km usually takes place in May.
Cycling -Rothaíocht
The last weekend in May has now become key date in the Connemara cycling calendar. The ŠKODA Tour de Conamara is usually sold out without 24 hours of it’s registration opening on January 1st. It offers the choice of 140km or 80km routes aross Connemara. The routes bring cyclist through some of the finest coastal, lakelands, valleys and mountainous landscape along the Wild Atlantic Way. The event takes place on May 25th in 2024.
The Roundstone Tour de Bog takes place in August. This family fun cycle has been taking place for 30 years. The 32km route goes from Roundstone to Ballyconneelly onto the bog Road and back into Roundstone
The 30th Croí Charity Cycle will take place on 9th June 2024. Cyclists will have a choice of two routes 47km & 107km starting at Dangan and finishing in Newcastle.
The Bike2Bofin is an annual charity cycling event which cycles from Galway to Cleggan with an overnight in Inishbofin. This event raises much needed funds for local charity Down Syndrome Galway. There is a 90km cycle or a 45km route option.
Gaelforce Challenge –
Gaelforce is one of the highlights of the Connemara and the Islands adventure challenges. The 66km course sees competitors run, kayak, climb and bike their way from the Inagh Valley to Killary Fjord to Croagh Patrick to finish in Westport. In 2024 the provisional date set is June 15th.
The mountains are calling – Tá na sléibhte ag glaoch
Since it was first organised in 1975 this The Maam Turks mountain challenge has been a focal point in the hillwalking calendar. The Maam Turk Mountains range is a notoriously barren and rock terrain with ridges, cliffs and numerous valleys. The challenge is a test of endurance and navigational skills. The event took place on April 1st in 2023 but you can sign up to their mailing list to get notice of the 2024 date. Read more on the history of the challenge>
If you like hillwalking but don’t want an extreme event then check out Connemara Mountain Festival at Leenane which takes place in Spring & Autumn might or Féile na Sléibhte Dúiche Sheoigeach usually takes place at the end of August beginning of September. Both events are well organised and very popular as they have walks to suit all abilities.
Swim/Snámh
The Great Fjord Swim is brought to you by the Gaelforce Team this open sea swimming event takes place at Killary Fjord. There is a choice of three distances 3.9km (full Ironman distance) | 2km | 750m for all levels of experience in open sea swimming. Provisional date for 2024 is September 14th. 
Fancy a dip in ocean in aid of a good cause. The Bofin Swim takes place in the crystal clear waters at Inishbofin’s East End bay in aid of Down Syndrome Galway.
Turf Warrior Obstacle Course
Turf Warrior Turf Warrior is an 8km Mud Run & Obstacle Course challenge which will take place November 2024 near Killary Harbour. This challenge is not for the faint hearted. If you are up for it this will involve climbing , swinging and leaping through 8km is of bog and mud. What are you waiting for? Embrace the mayhem and madness!
If the Turf Warrior seems too much why not consider the Leenane 5 mile Run Jog or Walk which takes place in Leenane Village on November 17th 2024
Organised by the local Red Cross the run starts and finishes in Leenane Village. This 5 mile run takes you through some beautiful scenery along Killary Harbour and will include the award winning Golden Mile in Glanagimla.
Keep an eye on the page as we will be updating as we hear of more events. Coinnigh súil ar an leathanach nó ar na meáin soisialta mar go mbeidh muid ag cuir tuilleadh eolas suas nuair a chloiseann muid faoi imeachtaí eile.
