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Showing posts from 2019

Gougane Barra

On Sunday 8th September the club walk was in Gougane Barra. We left town at 08.30 on a dry autumnal day. Reaching our destination we parked up and had tea / coffee at the restaurant overlooking the tranquil waters of the lake. We made our way by the lake, before turning north along a narrow road to reach a gate that gave access to the mountain. Conditions underfoot were not great, it was wet and boggy as we started our ascent. There is no defined path here and our aim was to make the crest of the ridge. As we progressed, the ground didn’t get any better in fact it got worse. Coarse grass , covering knee jarring holes and slippery rock. Then there was some rain and in the mist visibility was not great. On a clear day the views would have been worth the hard slog, but not today. After some time we rested up and had some refreshments. Continuing through the inhospitable ground conditions , we trudged along. Eventually our progress was brought to an abrupt halt , as we came to a

Knocknatobar

On Sunday August 25 the club walk was on Knocknatobar mountain. Situated north east of Caherciveen. The mountain stands against the prevailing south west winds that carry rain in from the Atlantic. Fresh water springs out of the ground in many places, giving the mountain it’s name Knocknatobar ( Hill of the Wells ). Rising to 690 meters its the 32 nd highest in Ireland. At the foot of the mountain is a holy well called Saint Furseys which is reputed to have a cure for eye complaints. Leaving town at 08.30 we made our way westwards. The day was dry. We stopped in Glenbeigh at the Towers hotel for some tea / coffee and also managed to get a scone eventually. Arriving at our destination we put on our gear, our route was the pilgrimage path to the summit. This has been a place of pilgrimage for millennia, from pre Christian Era to present time. In 1884 / 1885 the fourteen stations of the Cross were erected along the path that zig zags to the summit. A large cross and altar were erecte

Carrauntoohill -Going Up " The Big One "

On Sunday July 28th the Club Outing was to Carrauntoohill. As usual we left Kanturk at 8.30am to meet up at the staring point at Cronin's Yard . For a minimal charge this place is very handy in that you can a have a cuppa before you start if you want, a place to change your gear or have a shower after, your car and belongings are safe and you have a fine newly refurbished cafe to come back to afterwards. Our chose route was by the Brother O'Sheas Gully route which was very suitable to the group of 17 that we had with a good cross section of our members in that it gave everyone a good chance to do the climb. There is no easy way to climb Carrauntoohill. This route named after a local Brother O'Shea is the second most popular route to the top. The weather at this point was overcast, cloudy and misty with an odd drizzle thrown in. After leaving Cronin's Yard we made our way out along before we turned right for our route passing near the rescue hut & the ju

Muckcross To Lord Brandons Cottage

  On Sunday 14 July ( Bastille day) Vive la France, the club outing was to Killarney. In Mediterranean type weather we left a town at 08.30. We travelled to Mucross house where we parked up. We headed  for Torc waterfall and continued up the steps, to join the Old Kenmare road. As we were a large group we formed into two smaller groups. The first group then went ahead with the second group to follow after an interval of 10 minutes.  The second group had some navigational issues to find the Kenmare road and after a vigorous work out we eventually got on track. The sun shone from a cloudless azure sky as we made our way along the valley between Torc and Mangerton, with the Owengarriffe river to our left. Then on to Esknamucky glen between Cromuglan  and  Stumpacommeen mountains. Reaching the junction for Galways bridge we followed the path to Derrycunnihy church by the N71. We rested here and crossed the busy road onto the path for Lord Brandon’s cottage. The path which was formerly

Coumshingaun 2019

On Sunday 30 June 2019 the club walk was the Coumshingaun lake loop walk in East Waterford. Leaving town at 08.30 we drove the picturesque Blackwater valley,through the towns of Mallow, Fermoy into County Waterford. On then to the heritage town of Lismore with it’s castle , Irish home to the Duke of Devonshire . The Comeraghs are between the towns of Clonmel and Carrick on Suir in Tipperary and the villages of Kilmackthomas and Kilrossanty in Waterford. Finally reaching Leamybrien we stopped for tea / coffee at the busy Applegreen service station. Refreshed we continued on to Kilclooney Wood. Parking up we changed into our hiking gear. The car park was full. The fine weather had brought the people out , and like ourselves they had answered the call of the hills. We made our way through some forestry and reaching a forest road we turned right past a fake tree disguising a telecommunications mast. Then over a style turning west we headed for a rock formation that to some looked l

Summer solstice 2019

On Saturday 22 June the Summer Solstice club walk was up the West Pap. As the last of the night owls staggered homewards , we left town at 02.00 heading west to Clonkeen. The Paps are associated  with the goddess Danu she was known of throughout Europe as well as Ireland.The Paps have been the site of Pagan rituals for thousands of years. Speeding through the sleeping countryside we arrived at our destination, the southern  slopes of the Paps. Parking up we donned our gear complete with head torches. First we walked up a forestry road before crossing a gate onto open mountain. There is a fairly sharp incline for a while. Eventually we pass a gate and contoured in a South westerly direction. We then turned north and followed a reasonably defined track. By now visibility was greatly reduced as we were walking in fog. However we made steady progress , gaining altitude with every step. Unlike last year ,we couldn’t see the lights of any village or town. Our vision confined to the limits of

Mangerton & the Devils Punch Bowl June 2019

On Sunday 16 June 2019 the club walk was the Devil’s Punchbowl circuit in the majestic Mangerton mountain range.Mangerton is the only mountain visible from the Main Street in Killarney. We left town at 08.30 and travelled west. The day was dry and sunny. The forecast was for showers at 12.30. We arrived at the starting point and geared up. Initially we walked on level wet ground through Cormicks haggard which was the site of a famous battle in 1262 when the McCarthys halted the Norman invasion into the kingdom. We continued southwards up the northern slopes of Mangerton at a brisk pace now gaining altitude. To our right the lakes were spread out below. With Killarney off in the distance. Underfoot conditions were reasonably good and we made steady progress. Stopping now and then to admire the views , and give our lungs a chance. Soon the terrain leveled off and we contoured south west for a while. We then veered south to bring us to approx mid way above the Devil’s Punchbowl. A sti

Galtymore & Galtybeg

On Sunday 2nd June the club outing was to the Galtee Mountains that straddle the border between Limerick and Tipperary. The day was overcast but dry as we headed east. Stopping in the hilltop village of Kildorrery for tea / coffee. From here there are great views towards the Galtees. Onwards we sped through the lush countryside of North Cork. Turning left off the N8 outside Kilbeheny we finally arrived at King’s yard. We changed into our gear, and headed up the southern slopes of Galtees on a rough track. After a few hundred meters we veered north east, across open mountain gaining a little bit of altitude. We then descended to cross the Attyechraan river. We set our course South West and gaining height we linked up with the Black Road. We headed North towards Galtybeg on a firm track. As we gained altitude a freshening southwestern breeze began to pick up. The Knockmealdown mountains and the Comeraghs were visible to the south. Slightly off the Black Road on the slopes of Kn

Moylussa & Logh Derg

On Sunday 5 th. May the club outing was to Moylussa in County Clare. On a lovely brisk morning we left town at 08.30 and headed to Limerick. Then on to the M7 turning off at the Killaloe / Ballina junction. Here we stopped at the Applegreen service station for tea / coffee. We then continued to Ballina crossing the mighty Shannon over the 13 arch stone bridge into Killaloe in the Banner county of Clare.Birthplace of Brian Boro 941-1014 high king of Ireland from 1002 until his untimely death at Clontarf in1014. Brian ruled Ireland from Killaloe which was effectively capital of Ireland that time. Another man born here was the legendary Keith Wood , Ireland captain, Munster and Lions hooker. Keith opened a coffee shop here in 2018. Turning right in Killaloe we continued to the car park at Ballycuggarn Wood on the banks of Lough Derg. It’s claimed that the oak from this area was used to roof Westminister  Hall. Much of the oak was used for shipbuilding and to feed the fires of the iron

Knockmealdown 2019

On Saturday 20 th April the club outing was to the Knockmealdown mountains. We left town on a beautiful morning. Traveling through Mitchelstown , Ballyporeen and Clogheen to arrive at our starting point below Bay Lough. Changing into our walking gear, we headed south through the rhododendrons up a fairly steep incline. Finally our path leveled out and the corrie lake of Bay Lough   was spread out before us. The surrounding hills reflected in its brooding dark waters. There is a haunting beauty about it. The lake is reported to be bottomless. It also said to be frequented by a 19 th century lady called Petticoat Loose. This lady of ill repute is supposed to have been banished by the local parish priest. ( Didn’t they rule the roost back then ). Her punishment was to empty the lake with a thimble. At twilight she can sometimes be seen on the far bank trying to tryin to accomplish her impossible task. ( A bit like Teresa May. Poor woman ). Skirting the lake we climbed gradually up to t

Derrycunnihy to Peakeen

Sunday 7 th April the club walk was from Derrycunnihy to Peakeen mountain.Leaving town on a sunny crisp morning the temperature was one degree. Traveling west the mountains were obscured by fog. However by Rathmore the fog had lifted and the Derrynasaggart Mountains were revealed in all their glory. The temperature was also rising by Barraduff it had reached three degrees. Eventually we reached our parking spot at Derrycunnihy church. It was now a pleasant sunny day and the mercury was at seven. Derrycunnihy church was built in 1890 and served as a Catholic Church. It is now in disuse and sadly falling into disrepair. It has a fine copper covered spire. It is a beautiful building that should be preserved and put to some use. There is a well known ghost story attached to it. Apparently several years ago a young girl was killed off her bicycle near it. She can be seen sometimes wandering around near the church dressed in white. Sometimes at night she can appear in a car that would

Up The Cardiac Steps & Onto Torc Mountain

On Sunday 24 February the club walk was on Torc Mountain in Killarney. We left town on a grey overcast day. As we traveled west the sky brightened. Reaching our destination we found the car park full. Some volunteers were engaged in clearing fallen timber, and battling with the ubiquitous rhododendrons.This invasive shrub is destroying the native habitat. Full marks to the volunteers who give of their time so that we can enjoy the national park. We had to park at the Torc Waterfall Park. Today we had two options. One was to go up the Cardiac Steps , or to start at the old Kenmare road car park. There were no takers for the second option. Suitably dressed we set off. Our path took us parallel to the N71,  we crossed it and continued  along a track until we came to a branch to the left. The steps start here. From here it's practically straight up the north face of Torc Mt. , through woodland and rhododendrons. Behind us views of Kilarney's lakes opening up. Up & up the

Ballyhoura Walk

                                                                                                                                                                       On Sunday 10 February the club outing was to the Ballyhoura Mountains. The Ballyhouras run for approx six miles east to west on the border of Cork and Limerick. The sky was pregnant with rain to the west, but to the east they looked clear. Arriving at the trailhead on the road to Ardpatrick, we parked up and put on our walking gear. There are good facilities here with a shop and toilets etc.  Mountain bikes can be hired out here from Trailriders.ie.  The largest network of mountain bike trails in Ireland are here. However the longest downhill run is nearer to home on Mount Hillary. The morning was cold but dry so far. We set off at a lively gait, on a track heading south east,over looking the rich pastures of Ballyorgan. Across the valley the Victorian Castle Oliver could be seen. With it’s 21 rooms and 12 bathrooms,