Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

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 ...

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...

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...