Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

 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. ...

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 organi...

 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 w...

 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 ...

 On Sun. May 14th we had a club trip to Galtymore where on a good day you can see 7 counties in all angles as it is nearly in the centre of the country, you get there by turning at the sign for Galtymore just outside Kilbehenney.   The track we chose started at Kings Yard which is ideal as yo have security for your cars and you have changing facilities after the walk is over.  The way we went is that we headed out of Kings Yard northwards up the the laneway in the centre of the farm yard and when we reached the end of the lane way we rambled along on the eastern slope of Knocknagalty before turning righr & heading eastwards over a small river which actually is the county bounds between Limerick & Tipperary which led us onto a pathway on a slope on the other side guiding us onto the Black Rd. which we stayed on all the way to the valley or coll between Galtymore & Galtybeag,  which we decided not to climb. This is one bad part of the journey in that t...

 On April 9th we did a club trip with a difference. For a start we had a great group of 14 and the start was to drive to Kenmare from where we had a bus hired to take us back into Torc Waterfall from we were to start our trip. This was a day out with a difference as it was probably more of a walk than a climb.  The first leg was to start at the car park at Torc Waterfall and climb up the steps and at he the top of this climb we turned left for Kenmare along the old road.  This section is the same as if if you were going to climb Torc mountain, this you could climb if you wanted. Also on your left is Mangerton Mountain.  You now proceed to ramble through Killarney National Park & all its beauty. On days like this you really appreciate what a beautiful country we live in.   On this trip you really do get a bit of everything in lakes, streams , mountains, small forests and plenty of good views and yet it is still a walk suitable for all in tha...

 On Sunday Mar. 26th we had an absolute fantastic day out on The Paps with a group of 13 doing the trip. All the way around we had blue skies overhead with views stretching to the limit on all sides from the Galtees to the North East with The Reeks just behind us and on our South side you could see all the way into the depths of West Cork.  The only bad thing you could say was at the top of both peaks it was extremely windy and it was no day for hanging around too long but one thing the wind did too was to dry the place out as the ground conditions were good and dry. The Paps Loop Link  The route we took was our usual one in that we started at the cleared away forest entrance near Clydagh Bridge which is on the Cork side of Glenflesk & just off the main road from Cork/Macroom to Killarney which leads us on to a fine tough opening 45 minutes which is always testing leading onto the first peak before heading along for the first Western Pap and then down into the ...