Ballyhoura Bears 17th January 2010

By Robin Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)

These notes are always harping on about what great walking there is in and around the Ballyhoura Region. This claim was put to the test on Sunday when the club chose Kilfinane as the starting venue for its “A” and “B” walks. We were delighted to welcome members of our neighbouring club, the Galty Walking Club, to this venue. To strengthen attendances from both clubs the leaders chosen for the day were dual members, Willie Ryan and Michael Moroney. As the starting time for both walks of 10.a m approached it was becoming clear that this was going to be a busy day when upwards of 60 walkers descended on the town as it was waking to its usual Sunday routine. Surely we must have been something of a curiosity to the early risers of the town as acquaintances met for the first time since the Christmas break, walking gear was donned, the walks were being sorted out into the different categories and the “signing in” was completed. The attendance not only included members from each club, but also saw a large number of new walkers attending for the first time to sample what was on offer. They were not going to be disappointed. We had walkers travelling form distances of 40 plus miles away for the day. Something other than the fine spring like day must have been responsible for this large attendance. Of course! It was the Ballyhouras.

Willie Ryan took charge of the “A” walk and his plan was to do a loop through Magniers Wood and thence to Ballyorgan, Glenosheen, Seefin and home via Clondefoy (Castle Oliver) and its environs. This walk accounted for in excess of twenty walkers. We set off at an enthusiastic pace. The day was bright and dry in contrast to the conditions that we had been experiencing. As the morning progressed to midday the countryside preened itself and presented its unique beauty. What a transformation had occurred in a week? The frost-clad white landscape that greeted last weeks Glenroe walks was now replaced by the more recognisable lush green pastureland with the heather hew of Seefin and Blackrock providing the background. Our leader’s intimate knowledge of this area provided us with an assertive trek, and answers to any questions on the locality were readily at hand. The five-hour walk passed in a jiffy. The mood throughout was genial and if we felt that Spring was at hand this was due to the kind weather, and the welcome sound of birdsong that accompanied us throughout. Our return to Kilfinane found us traversing the environs of Castle Oliver and Oliver’s Folly. These landmarks are always of interest to observers, and to get as close to them as we did on Sunday puts them into perspective on he landscape. Willie got us back to the start in good time having provided us with an invigorating and informative walk.

It became evident at the start that the “B” walk might need to be split into a longer walk and one not as long. Who better to make an immediate adjustment to his walk than Mike Moroney? He assigned Willie O’Rourke to the task of the longer walk while he took charge of the shorter route himself. There were over thirty walkers in this combined group as we advanced in an opposite direction to the “A” walk. The plan was to reach Slievereagh via Ballyriggan and Garrynlease before joining the Ballyhoura Way on our return to Kilfinane. The same enthusiasm that permeated the “A” walkers was present with us at the start as we proceeded in the direction of the Palatine Wood. How appropriate it was that we should have a new member who is a Palatine in our company? Traversing farmland and farm passages we arrived at the Coillte path that was to lead us to the divide of this walk. The majority of the walkers proceeded with Willie O’Rourke for Slievereagh while the remainder went with Mike on the lower route that took us to the Ballyhoura Way via the shooting range.

Once we left the Coillte track the path that was to lead us to the Mast was wet and messy; a result of the thaw that had set in during the week. It did not, however, dampen the enthusiasm of the walkers as the wonderful panorama of south and east Limerick opened up to us and we passed underneath Cush Rock. A treat was around the corner for our visitors from the Galty Walking Club as Slievenamuck, the Glen of Aherlow and the Galty mountain range revealed themselves under the bright midday sunlight. It was good to hear these visitors picking out familiar landmarks of terrain that is intimate to them. A brief food stop at the Mast put us on our journey home to Kilfinane on the Ballyhoura Way. If the start of this walk passed by a Palatine landmark, so also did the end as we trekked beneath the Palatine Rock on the road home to Kilfinane. Mike Moroney and Willie O’Rourke did sterling work to get all walkers home in goodly time, safe and sound to the start.

Another busy weekend lies ahead consisting of no less than five different walks, a planning meeting for the away trips at Easter and the Summer, and advice from a Physiotherapist on preparation for walks.

On Saturday next a beginners walk will take place from The Lacca Car Park at the bottom of Seefin at 12.00 noon. For those that are not sure of how to get to this car park, they should get to Ardpatrick Community Centre before noon and we will travel thence to the start at The Lacca. Robin Lee – 087 6385290 – will take charge of this walk which will be a gentle introduction to walking, winding up with a mug of tea as a reward! Following on this walk there will be a Nordic Walk commencing from the same venue at 2.00 p m on Saturday and lasting about 2 hours. Contact Robin on the same number for walking poles.

On Sunday there are three walks. Cal Mc Carthy – 086 4091351 – takes charge of a moderate “A” walk from Glenanaar Car Park at 10.00 a m. Declan Clancy – 087 9792174 – will lead the “B” walk from Ardpatrick at 11.00 a m. This walk is the same as the Monday “B” walk for the May Festival. The third walk on Sunday is the sixth in the series of Denis Bates’ skills walk starting out from The Lacca Car Park at 10.30 a m. Denis should be contacted in advance to book a place on this walk at 086 8047570.

On Monday night, 25th January, Eugene Stephens – 087 2804637 - will host an information evening at The Charleville Park Hotel at 8.00 p m on the proposed away outings to Donegal at Easter and to Switzerland/ Swiss Alps in the Summer. All of those interested in these outings should attend. Deposits will be taken for each on the evening. At the same time and venue Pat Carmody – 087 9880367 – will introduce a Physiotherapist with his advice and tips for walkers in their preparations for walks.

Busy times ahead.