Beyond the Wall – Máire O’Mahony

I ventured Beyond the Wall to the idyllic setting of Castle Ward Estate, set location for Game of Thrones. Thankfully there were no towering giants or firing dragons to be seen (or at least they didn’t catch me). I was looking forward to getting my first NS event done for 2026 without dramas. 

The swim was on calm waters of Strangford Lough. The Buoys were well located for easy sighting. We were well warned to set our bikes in low gears for the steep pull up directly after the mount line. I faced a strong head wind on the way out on the rolling course, but was rewarded by an equally strong tail wind on the return.  After a quick T2, I was onto the run along a narrow forest track by the lough. The run was an out and back course, finishing to cheers under an arch beyond the wall. 

While I was slightly disappointed by the lack of goodies across the line, I was delighted with my performance, finishing first in my AG, in a super idyllic National Trust location.

Máire O’Mahony