Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

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 ...

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 ...