World's Smallest International Airport

Ireland's West Knock Airport......7 Miles Today;....( 13 degrees with -1 windchill)

Knock Airport averages 50,000 passengers per month compared to Chicago's O'Hare's 5,000,000/month. The airport was officially opened in early 1986. The Knock Airport was intended to bring employment to this part of Ireland, also to accommodate some of the 500,000 pilgrims from around the World who come here to visit the nearby Roman Catholic Knock Shrine which commemorates an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Today marks Forrest's last day in County Mayo, I must say "It was a wonderful 12 days of learning about County Mayo and its people. Now it's on to County Louth. Forrest's journey will take him from the world's smallest Int'l airport to Ireland's smallest County. County Lough is affectionately called the "wee county" being the smallest of Ireland's 32 counties in area but 19th in population. So until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Ireland's Greatest Olympian

Martin Sheridan, Bohola, Ireland

7 Miles Today; Wow! Forrest had to deal with blizzard conditions this morning. There were times when I had white out. With high winds and a temperature of 11 degrees, it was just like it was a year ago today. I was dressed properly and my shoes stayed dry and that makes for a nice walk. OK, now I have a treat................I found a nice story in the town of Bohola just six miles west of my location. Today Forrest is in town Kilkelly between Knock and Knock Int'l Airport on N17 & R375. Bohola, Ireland is the birthplace of Martin Sheridan who achieved fame in the United States by winning 9 Olympic medals-5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze in the early part of the 20th century. When Martin Sheridan's Olympic career was over he distinguish himself as a member of New York City Police Department. Sheridan died of pneumonia in 1918 at the age of 37. Ireland's Greatest Olympian has a memorial honoring him in the village square in Bohola, County Mayo Ireland. Another famous Irishman calls this small village in Co Mayo home. In the year 1890 the future Mayor of New York City William O'Dwyer was born in town Bohola. Besides being Mayor of NYC 1946-1950 William O'Dwyer also was US Ambassador to Mexico, and rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the US Army. O'Dwyer died in 1964 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Bohola for a town of less than 500 people that produces this kind of greatness says volumes about Ireland. Forrest has found numerous stories like these all through my Virtual Journey of Ireland this year. Tomorrow it's Knock International Airport and my last day in County Mayo. Next up....County Louth. Until then, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Knock ~ (Irish "The Hill of the Virgin Mary")

Our Lady Of Knock........County Mayo, Ireland

7 Miles Today; Forrest can't get outside right now for the weather is awful. I checked my blog from one year ago (Dec 9) my blog says as follows. "All Forrest is going to say about today's weather is that it was terrible. Freezing rain and slush. Forrest looked like a drowned rat when he finished his walk." Well that was last year, today I'm going to wait it out and see what happens. Now fast forward to Ireland.............Forrest is in the town of Knock, County Mayo. Knock (pop 800) is a small town whose is famous for being the location of the Knock Shrine where it's believed that the Virgin Mary, together with St Joseph and St John the Evangelist, appeared in 1879. Since then The Knock Shrine has become one of Europe's major Catholic Marian shrines, alongside Lourdes and Fatima. Pope John Paul II visited the Knock Shrine in 1979 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparition. So many people come here annually (over one-half million) that Knock International Airport was built nearby to accommodate the faithful. http://www.knock-shrine.ie/ I'll finish today's blog when I get my miles in. Later, Forrest............It sure wasn't a Chamber of Commerce kind of day but I did walk my 7 miles, wet feet and all. I can take most any kind of weather but dealing with slush is not my cup of tea. Tomorrow they say we'll have very cold temperatures and high winds. Forrest will be on the roads but that doesn't mean he has got to enjoy it. Tomorrow marks my next to last day in County Mayo. Forrest will visit Kilkelly then on to County Louth via "Knock International Airport" the second of six counties Forrest did not write about this summer. The Counties left to write about are Kildare, Offaly Loais and Carlow. Until tomorrow it's God Bless from yours truly & "Our Lady of Knock" Walk Forrest Walk

Cead Mile Failte

Crest of County Mayo, Ireland

7 Miles Today; It was cold this morning but at least the roads were dry. With the temperature in the mid 20's and our first winter storm heading our way it looks like Forrest will have to brave the elements tomorrow. Now lets fast forward to Ireland. Today Forrest finds himself in the town of Claremorris (pop 3,170). With a leisurely pace of life and cultural tradition which dates back to the 1700's Claremorris you will find Cead Mile Failte (A Hundred Thousands Welcomes) that comes with everyone you meet. People who visit Claremorris can't wait to come back. Lying midway between Galway and Sligo in County Mayo Claremorris is home to Delta Dental, a US company, which processes insurance claims also it's the town's largest employer. Just 8 miles from here is the Knock Shrine also know as Marian Shrine, Knock Co. Mayo Ireland. http://www.knock-shrine.ie/ Just like the the Shrines of Lourdes and Fatima, The Shrine of Knock is important to the the Catholic Faith. For my last two days it's in County Mayo it will be all about Christmas and The Shrine of Knock. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest

Hollymount, Rural County Mayo

7 Miles Today; It was a little cool this morning. The temperature was 25 degrees with a light breeze. My walk wasn't all that great, my hips gave me some discomfort. Maybe it's the bad weather that is supposed to be on its way. My journey today puts Forrest just south of of town Claremorris on R331. Today I am resting in a small village of 65 citizens. Say hello to the "HOLLYMOUNT" Time has not changed this part of Ireland. Hollymount has been like this since the 1700's. Hollymount is 8 miles from Claremorris and 27 miles southheast of Knock International Airport. (the smallest Int'l airport in the world). Farewell from R331 County Mayo Ireland. God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Bull In Ballinrobe

9 Miles Today; Forrest has made it to Ballinrobe, County Mayo. I walked from 5am to 7:30. The weather was dark, no wind and 22 degrees. As Forrest was reaching the Internet for information about Ballinrobe I came across this video on a bull in a meat market. I've heard about a "Bull in a China Shop" but this story got a big chuckle out of Forrest. Ballinrobe is a small town of 2,100 often dubbed "The Lake Angling Capital Of The West" Fisherman come here to fish over 60,000 acres in and around Loughs (lakes) Corrib and Mask)for Brown Trout. Claremorris 13 miles northeast of Ballinrobe is next up for a visit from Forrest. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Two Lakes ~ Lough Carra and Lough Mask

Typical shorelines of Lough Carra and Lough Mask

7 Miles Today; With my morning walk today which was uneventful, Forrest has completed another satisfying week of walking. My total miles of 56 is my average lately. I must say that my miles are happy miles for I'm back walking and writing about Ireland. On this cold 22 degree Saturday in December Forrest himself approximately 10 miles south of Westport, County Mayo Ireland. I'm on a secondary road R330 between two beautiful Loughs (lakes). To the west of me is a huge lake called Lough Mask, to the east about 2 miles is Lough Carra and one of County Mayo's main roads called N84. The letter "N" mean National. As Forrest makes his way south on R330 to Balllinrobe it's farewell for today. Until tomorrow God Bless Walk Forrest Walk