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Knocknatobar

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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 erected on top at the behest of Canon Brosnan of Cahersiveen in 1884.
The path traverses the western flank of the mountain. As we gained altitude the views opened up. Caherciveen to the south west with Valentia island and the Skelligs.The Blasket islands and Dingle peninsula to the north with the sparkling waters of Dingle bay in between. Conditions under foot were good, but wet in places as could be expected, after all it is the Hill of the Wells. It’s a steady but not too demanding climb to the top.
Towards the summit we  got some mist and donned our rain gear.  Visibility was poor as we climbed the final steep slope to the top. Here we rested up and had refreshments sheltering at the side of the substantial altar...
 Refreshed we decided to continue eastwards along the ridge..to our left were gaping cliffs tumbling down to the valley floor. We went on a few hundred meters in poor visibility..then like a curtain being pulled aside the mist lifted and we were treated to fantastic views..the Glendalough lakes hundreds of feet below... and the Iveragh Peninsula all around. It was ample reward for the effort.... We then retraced our steps and eventually reached the car park...well done to everyone. Also it was good to see some new faces..some made a stop at the Towers for refreshments on the way home..
It was an excellent day out and a route that will be repeated, next time hopefully continuing on to a Kells....

  “ To find a mountain path all by oneself gives a greater feeling of strength
          than to take a path that is shown “.  ...............Karen Horney


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Location: Killurly East, Co. Kerry, Ireland

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