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Carrowmore Archery... where the energy flows
The frying pan was on, kettle boiled, fresh white bread sliced, and copious bacon and sausage sandwiches were distributed. So it was subsequently in the maturing afternoon, we emerged from and gathered outside the Carrowmore Archers polytunnel under the clear blue mid-autumn sky, the sun beaming down and almost instinctively the same expression could be read from the faces of those gathered, no way could the day be concluded without a round on the course. And so, vans, trunks and boots were opened, archery gear retrieved (because naturally one travels around the place with this stuff in the back of their car…. . like it's perfectly normal…. . isn't it?). The name Carrowmore itself actually comes from the nearby Mesolithic tombs of the same name. There is the belief that it lies upon a natural earth energy line leading from Stonehenge, taking in Loughcrew, Brú na Bóinne heading down through Ireland towards Queen Maeve's cairn then changing direction towards none other than the Egyptian Pyramids.
As many will testify, the more one shoots, the more one experiences the wonderful opportunity to visit some fantastic courses and meet so many wonderful people. That's fine, for indeed every course is special in its own unique way. It has its own characteristics, its’ own nuances, the little quirks, reflective of the imagination of those working behind the scenes to create an enjoyable experience for those visiting. However, every so often a place captures your imagination. Sometimes it's difficult to home in on what made it such a memorable experience. Was it the weather? Was it the company you kept that day? Perhaps you shot unexpectedly well? Maybe it was your mindset at that particular point in time? Perhaps it was a combination of all. Whatever the reason that did it for me, it just happened to be on the banks of The Owenmore River fed Temple Lake under the watchful gaze of Temple House at Carrowmore, County Sligo, where I think I found my special place.
Carrowmore Archery, Where the Energy flows My first visit here was in September this year when I was invited to give an archery string workshop. There's no real need to go into detail on the mechanics as to how that proceeded, perhaps a discussion for another day, but certainly my first impressions of this place were heartfelt, to say the least, on the welcome I received.
The frying pan was on, kettle boiled, fresh white bread sliced, and copious bacon and sausage sandwiches were distributed. So it was subsequently in the maturing afternoon, we emerged from and gathered outside the Carrowmore Archers polytunnel under the clear blue mid-autumn sky, the sun beaming down and almost instinctively the same expression could be read from the faces of those gathered, no way could the day be concluded without a round on the course. And so, vans, trunks and boots were opened, archery gear retrieved (because naturally one travels around the place with this stuff in the back of their car…. . like it's perfectly normal…. . isn't it?). The name Carrowmore itself actually comes from the nearby Mesolithic tombs of the same name. There is the belief that it lies upon a natural earth energy line leading from Stonehenge, taking in Loughcrew, Brú na Bóinne heading down through Ireland towards Queen Maeve's cairn then changing direction towards none other than the Egyptian Pyramids.
There's an impressive driveway up to where vehicles can be parked beside which there's the outdoor 20-yard practice range. There's the enormous club polytunnel which is ideal for coaching and practicing during the winter months. Given the size and length of it, it's ideal far archery games and fun shots even housing a pendulum target at the end. It's kitted out wait their kettle and goody stashbox and gas stove. The polytunnel also serves as the workshop where there's a busy throughput of tuning and arrow making and troubleshooting and very shortly string making. All this is perfect during those short winter days and long evenings especially with that continuous but cozy kettle rattle in the background creaking and pinging away, a soothing precursor to yet another cup of coffee. One enters by the next field, climbing the steep hill, passing curious grazing sheep and enters Derrybeg Woods via a pedestrian gate.
The course continues along the bank of Temple Lake With an array of deceptive shots Including the hard to spot dinosaur lurking under that fallen tree and the wild boar at the end of a long drain, there's the long shots of the standing bear towards the beginning and the bedded goat as one nears the end. Almost immediately there's of something captivating about this place. Then there's an amazing avenue like tree canopied passageway, that brings you to the heart of the woods resplendent in an array of colors reflective of the time of year. All 18 targets are set out with access facilitated throughout the year with springtime being particularly enticing. Autumn has its own attractions too with some impressive rays of light being thrown depending on the time of evening and the weather especially at dusk.
Regularly it would appear as if the trees take on a deep crimson hue just before the sun settles from sight. The vantage points are under continual revision thanks to the deft course setting skills of Robert Gawley. I could try and describe this place, this course, select the colourful phrases the imaginative descriptions the thought inspiring musings but there's no real substitute for actually coming over and paying a visit.
However, to digress somewhat let's delve a little bit into the club itself perhaps get a better understanding or maybe a deeper appreciation of what they are all about. The club has been based in the grounds of the Temple House estate for the last ten years or so. Legend has it it was where the Knights of the Round Table would meet on occasion.
The original club was established by David Connell and Chris Shilton and Allen Bostock in 2002 and that was set up over in Markree Castle in Collooney where there was also a forest. Stories still abound of the fun and antics during their time there. At present two shoots are held each year, and these are both SBG rounds. These take place up the hill in the woods by the lake. In the past and before COVID, shoots had been held in the woods adjacent to the polytunnel on occasion when the adjacent field is clear of livestock a clout shoot is held.
The polytunnel itself deserves a special mention. It was the initiative of David and Allen who applied for National Lottery funding and were successful. Quite a number of eyebrows were raised at the whole concept of a polytope being used in this manner of course it attracted the speculation that it would be rapidly punctured and peppered by arrows before long. Time has proven this not to be the case. This is where the bulk of activity takes place when it comes to workshops training and of course the continued practice sessions during those long winter evenings. It's demonstrated to be a fantastic social focal point for the club.
It's been awhile since the last and I'm looking forward to getting the call for when the next one is organised.
Some tremendous work is done also in the area of mental health and disabilities. Prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic the impressive hall,
normally functioning as a basketball court, at Summerhill College secondary school had been used periodically to accommodate training sessions.
The school hall is wheelchair accessible and they also allow the club to store their equipment in the hall storeroom and hopefully the opportunity will arise shortly to avail of the facilities here once again. Incidentally with the exception of the forest the club polytunnel and facilities are also wheelchair accessible.
This is a great contribution to the community allowing people to try a sport where otherwise for whom so many avenues are cut short. While many groups are catered for, a lot of work is done with Sligo Sports and Recreation who would get in touch whenever they are seeking an addition to a range of activities.
Sadly, a common question that is often asked is how did the club fair during the COVID pandemic. Fortunately, memberships remained relatively stable despite restrictions entailing the severe curtailment of training, beginners courses, practice sessions and shooting competitions.
Incentives such as the wavering of membership fees were introduced, and these did help ease the burden somewhat. Fortunately, while it was iinitially slow to return to the same pre-pandemic momentum, memberships have nearly returned to normal.
So, in many ways their experience has been the same as that of many other clubs where memberships remain quite stable, albeit with a corresponding turn around with beginners not always pursuing the activity but then again with others returning a later stage.
Most of the members are local to the club and area.
Some do travel quite a distance because Carrowmore Archers is nonetheless still the closest club to them.
The woods are under the ownership of the Temple House estate, with the site on which the clubhouse rests being leased by the club. Carrowmore Archers have a very good relationship with the owners and local farmers which allows them a great degree in flexibility in access and planning their shoots. It's evident though that this is done with the utmost care and respect to the area and the diligence and devotion of the club to this is commendable.
So Carrowmore Archers have about 60 members. They do virtually all of their beginner’s courses in the polytunnel. There's the outdoor range adjacent to that and of course the woods right there for when day are deemed competent enough to shoot 3d's. Then on course completion they have the opportunity to become affiliated with SIFA. Several beginner’s courses are run throughout the year. Those interested get in touch with the club through the website. In general, the groups are kept small with anywhere between 2 to 6 trainees undertaking the course and this is to allow archers develop at their own pace.
Typically, between Easter and Halloween it would be on Thursday evenings that club members would congregate for to get in a round after work.
Then of course it would be back to the polytunnel, the garden chairs brought out to face the west, kettle put on of course, sit back, light up, kick back, chat, pause and chat some more as light fades ever so slowly.
I suppose an indicator or measure of the impact a place has on one is not just how one feels when departing, nor the fun had or even the company enjoyed, but the desire to, as soon as possible, share the experience with someone else, especially someone you thought could truly appreciate it for what it is. Perhaps therein lies the truest unspoken compliment of all.