Despite the lack of military training, over 3.000 Irish recruits joined their ranks on the march
to Castlebar, many carrying only pikes and pitchforks. The group marched along the west
shore of Lough Conn over rough uneven ground and arrived at Castlebar to face a British
garrison under the command of General Lake. The shocked British troops were forced to
retreat and Humbert’s men moved from Staball Hill down Thomas Street to the original
market place. Castlebar Bridge was their next target and this was taken under the command
of General Fontaine. Despite such valiant attempts to overcome the British all across the
land, they finally succumbed to the British troops on 8 September 1798 at Ballinamuck in Co.
Longford.
The 225 km route which Humbert took his men on has become a famous cycle trail – Tour
de Humbert. In Mayo it passes through Kilcummin, Killala, Ballina, Castlebar, Swinford,
Bellahy but spans four 4 counties, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Longford. Finger signposts direct
you towards areas of historical importance.
The route is easy to moderate, and suited to cyclists of all ages and experience. The first leg
spans 13 km from Kilccummin to Killala where the round tower and lovely harbour are
visible. The next stretch of road takes you 16 km to the town of Ballina, passing the famous
Moyne and Rosserk Abbeys and Belleek Castle. There is some beautiful scenery too on this
coastal route, passing Bartra Island on Killala Bay.
The Tour De Humbert is a 90 km annual cycling challenge which begins in Kilcummin and
follows the original erratic route taken by the ambitious 18th century revolutionaries, taking in
Swinford’s during the summer street festival or Siamsa Sraide.