Ballyhoura Bears 21st June 2009

By Robert Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)

There is so much happening in the sporting world at this time of the year that it presents a challenge to walks leaders to accommodate the walker and the match enthusiast at the same time. Paddy Kelly’s solution is simple – start earlier and get them home for the match. If this is to work on any day, it must surely work on the longest day of the year, as was last Sunday.

An 8.30 a m start at Killarney saw 12 walkers hitting off for the Mullaghanattin Horseshoe with the prospect of being down from the walk in time for the array of matches on offer during the afternoon. The starting point was Gearha South whence we travelled via the Road/Passage and wooded area to Tooreennahone. We were now at the foot of Derreennagreer which, when ascended, got us to the shoulder of Beann South Top (639M). Skirting The Pocket and advancing on our target of Mullaghanattin (773 M), we took in the peaks of Beann (752 M) and Beann North Top (692 M) as we horseshoed on to our target. While the weather was good and dry, there was light cloud down on us for most of this part of the walk and so the opportunities that Mullaghanattin provides for viewing was denied us on this occasion. Home was now the order of the rest of this day out and we reached this (our cars) by descending via Bohercullia on the south-eastern foot of Mullaghanattin, and Tooreenafersha. The whole trek took approximately 6 ½ hours, and even if the cloud refused to budge when we were on top, it was, nonetheless, a good strenuous and invigorating walk, very well led by Paddy Kelly, and we were back in plenty of time to get in the matches that interested us.

Almost diagonally across the Province Denis Bates led out a group of “B” walkers from Silvermines village to trek on the Silvermines Mountains. We parked up our cars at the scenic viewing spot at Lahid, and walked from there, initially on part of the Slieve Felim Way, in a figure of eight on to and across the mountain. This plan provided the thirteen of us with the maximum views all around us. Add to this the research that Denis had done on the walk and its locality, and now you have a wholly entertaining afternoon. Such it was. We encountered a variety of terrain, allowing a little challenge into the day. The fog and mist that threatened to mar the day at the start soon burned off and we were presented with glorious walking conditions. It seemed as if nearby Keeper Hill absorbed all of the cloud in the locality, and kept it for itself, whilst we enjoyed the views that this allowed. The now disused mines and their history gave Denis the opportunity to impart his knowledge and the result of his research; the activity in and around the nearby airstrip provided a curiosity for us as we trekked our way towards the end of this most entertaining four and a half hour walk.

At home things were happening as well. Deebert House Hotel in Kilmallock was the venue for a weekend workshop on walking skills, techniques and safety. The event was a joint venture by the Irish Heart Foundation and Limerick County Council. The Club had three representatives in attendance. Frank Fahey of Fizzical Ltd, a Dublin based consultancy in physical recreation and active living, presented the course to the twenty odd participants from throughout Munster. The outcome was fascinating. All grades of walking from strolling to fitness walking, stride walking, power walking and the increasingly popular Nordic walking was covered. It is hoped to include some or all of these in our future walking calendars. If anyone has an interest in participating in any of these disciplines please contact anyone in the club or call (087) 6385290.

A date for your diary is Wednesday night, 1st July at 8.00 p m. The Club is holding an open meeting at Deebert House Hotel designed to accumulate the views of members on the running and activities of the Club. All members are more than welcome to participate with their comments or views, suggestions or criticisms.

Sunday next has us down in Kerry once more. It is time again for the traditional “last Sunday in June” walk to Mount Brandon. The “A” and “B” walk will assemble at Cloghane at 10 a m, and head on out to the Conor Pass Car Park to start from there. Contact Ben O’Sullivan (087) 4180181 for details.

Finally, don’t forget the Mass at Glenanaar Mass Rock on Monday night, 6th July. Meet at Glenanaar Car Park at 7.00 p m. Further details from Cal McCarthy on (086) 4091391.