Night Trip Up Mushera - Sunrise For The Solstice

 On a year of firsts we did another new one and that was a Night Climb Up Mushera to see the Sunrise for the Summer Solstice.
 We were hoping for a good sunrise like they got on Carrauntoohill a few years ago

A group of 7 did the night climb leaving Kanturk at 3.30am and arriving at the gates of Millstreet Country Park at about 4am . The weather that night was good enough but you still had to take things slowly but for even the time of the year even the bottom of Mushera was still very dry. The only thing we were progressing fairly quickly and had to take a break below the top as we did not want to be on top too early in the wind. We arrived at the top for about 5am but to our disappointment no sun came out for the sunrise. It really only just got brighter but off we went back to our daily work lives with a tale to tell.

 But still for most of us it was something new and different and one off the bucket list and will probably be added to the Annual Walk List.

The Cheque Presentations

For the third time in recent years we organised a Charity Climb & again we had a very successful day out and raised money for worthy causes and in one case local in the process.

 This time the Charities were The Irish Cancer Society & Kanturk Hospital and recently we held the Cheque Presentations in the Temperence Hall in Kanturk where a good few of our own members turned up to present the Cheques to Peg Fitzgerald who is The Matron of Kanturk Hospital and Nicola McMahon representing The Irish Cancer Society.

 A total of €4800 with each getting cheques for €2400 which made it a very worthwhile day out. The most impressive statistic was the we have now raised over €14,000 on the last 3 climbs which is credit to all involved.

 For us the climbers we get a great day out meeting loads of different people for the Charity Climb who we may not meet on the Mountains, some may go faster than us and some may only come once a year.
 On behalf of the organisers I must thank the Group Leaders who take responsibility of between 15 people which is a big task especially if the weather turns, we must thank our Sponsors who donated Signs for around the Town and lots of food was donated to feed the gang after. Also a big special thanks to Eilis & all in The Alley Bar for all their help in lookig after the Climbers after the event. A big thank you to our own members Nuala McCarthy, Geraldine Murphy and Margret O'Keeffe who were acting caterers and done an absolute fantastic job.

  A big thanks also goes out to The Corkman Newspaper who gave us great publicity along the way
 So till next time whenever that may be.

The Day We Went To The Beach !!!!

 At the start of this year it was decided by our members to slightly change the policy of our club and the way it was going. It was decided to vary the walks from some high to some low, some hard to some easy plus new routes with a variance and on top of that to make add more of a sociable aspect to it as well. Today we acheived all of that , it was a new route, a different type of walk in that we did a coastal walk along the beach and sand dunes for 3 hours on a new location . Sometimes it is not always about climbing a big mountain under strain. THe day was also finished with a sociable cuppa & chat in a local cafe

This day lived up to all those ideals as we to the beach and the destination was the Magharees with a group of 9 near Castlegregory just beyond Tralee. It was a day out with a difference as we probably only climbed one big sand dune and got a lot of sand in places that we did not know existed as it was all over us.But do not underestimate this day as it was a great day out.
 We started our walk in Spillanes Bar Car Park and headed on for the tip of the headland on the peninsula facing back in towards Tralee as well as Fenit Harbour on the other side. We skirted the headlands for a while before we reached our frst beach of the day & strolled along for a good while, which was on the eastern side of the Magharees before we hit land again crossing the road and onto our first Sand Dunes of the day to lots of giggles from some as it probably reminded them of days gone by from their youth.

As we continued our journey through the dunes we eventually got to the western side of this out land and back to the beach we went again with a slight stopover for a snack  in the dunes. Our youthfull past was definitely being explored today before finding ourselves back at the car park at Spillanes Pub again after another hike in the breeze with sand in our faces. The only problem was Spillanes was shut.

But due to having local knowledge in our midst we found another port for a coffee. As is tradition now in our group we have a pit stop to reminisce the day we had and here we found everything from green soup to lovely big slices of brownies to girls with tattoo's on her legs to amuse us & our journey home & to end off another great day out with our group after our day at the beach. Just another day out to prove what a great country we live in.

The Charity Climb -2017

 The nearly once a year Charity Climb takes place in aid of decided good causes,this time it was decided those chosen charities were Kanturk Hospital  & The Irish Cancer Society both worthy  causes as Kanturk Hospital is a great place in need of funds and unfortunately in the case of the latter a causethat affects too many.
  Last time we went to Mount Brandon but this time we went back to The Big One - Carrantoohill. It is the highest and always a good test and for those who do not do Hill walk the challenge is always to go there, The Highest !
 The climb list is made up of members of the 3 local Hillwalking or Climbing groups, Kanturk Hill Walkers & Mountain Climbers , DHC Duhallow Hillwalking Club & The Hard Core Hillwalking Group. and other other Hillwalking enthusiast's who are not affiliated to any group and individuals who just want to do a climb once a year or so. All the different clubs help out in their own way mostly by members agreeing to be group leaders as the overall list is broken down into smaller gangs with those leaders looking after their own few. Many thanks to the Group Leaders who take responsibility for about 15 people and guide them to the top in a safe manner, without these people The Climb would not go ahead. This time we set off with 39 which was a very good turnout.
 On Sunday April 30th this years trip was planned but the the Irish Weather decided to have a say and that trip got cancelled the night before for safety. That time we had 60 going but we had to take the hit & look forward again, The second time God shone a good day upon us & gave us that second chance & we made the most of it.

  The group of 39 set out from Cronin's Yard and the decided  route was to go up via O'Sheas Gully which is a good route for all  and the one thing that played into our hands was the fabulous day we were about to meet. The only bit wrong with it was it may have a slight bit too warm. Are we Irish or not !! But it was warm & lots of water needed. A good complaint.
 The one thing about The Charity Climb is gives a lot of people a chance to see the Top Of The Country and hopefully get a clear day. They met a near perfect day, Calm, Clear, Windless & Fantastic Views.The view stryched in all angles. You may go there another 100 times & you will probably not get a better day at the top. The Great Views !!! 360 Degrees !! #NoBetterPlace

Time to get back down, I think most people came down The Devils Ladder which is the shortest way home but you earn it, as for some people coming down is neaqrly harder than going up as it is hard on the knees, joints & muscles.Once you reach the bottom it is a straight route home on the virtual flat but still stony & bumpy pathway until you reach after about an hour, Cronin Yard . The one bad thing about Carrantoohill is that it takes a good stroll to get in & out from the climb.

The one thing great about Cronin's Yard is car safety & after climb changing facilitates plus the chance of a cuppa plus a nice  thing !! before you head for home which in this case was The Alley Bar.

Before I go any further the after Climb Food was all sorted by Nuala McCarthy, Margret O'Keeffe and Geraldine Murphy and Many Thanks To Them.. It Was Fab!! And To Eilish & The Alley Bar - Many Thanks !!

At this stage I show you a group picture from  The Alley Bar where there is no alcoholic drink on the table. But yes we had a good night & a laugh and a few !. 

So Till next The Charity Climb I Bid you goodbye .

Thanks To 

The Climbers 

All the Group Leaders

All The Sponsors

The People That Sponsored

The Alley Bar Restaurant !!

To Kanturk Hospital & The Irish Cancer Society