Ballyhoura Bears 28th June 2009

By Robert Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)

The last Sunday in June each year is a special day in our calendar; it is the day of our annual climb on the Brandon Mountains coinciding with the traditional Annual Mass celebrated on Mount Brandon.

As usual, the “A” and “B” walks take place there and Ben O’Sullivan plans these for us. But this was where the routine finished. A change is always as good as a rest, and Ben had some novel changes in store for us last Sunday.

For a start he broke up the “A” and “B” walks starting each of them from different starting points. Added to this he sent the “A” walk in the opposite direction to the usual route, while devising an entirely new trek for the “B” walk. His final innovation for the day was to allow the “B” walkers to dictate the pace of the walk, and variations to the route, while he navigated them safely through their chosen way. These new ideas proved very satisfactory to the thirty-one walkers that turned up at the collection point at Cloghane village.

Our Chairman, Pat Moriarty, who took the “A” walk on its way from Cloghane to the Pater Noster Lakes via the Grotto in indifferent weather conditions, ably assisted Ben on the day. The ascent from here to Mount Brandon is tough enough, but rewarding at the end, if the mountain yields the views that it is capable of. Mount Brandon is notorious for keeping this view to itself, however and, regrettably, Sunday was no exception. Added to this there was a surprisingly strong wind blowing on top, which encouraged us to keep moving onwards and downwards towards Brandon Peak and on to Ballysitteragh and the Conor Pass. This was, in fact, the exact opposite route to that usually taken by us, and it proved to be a welcome variation. We were, by now, good and wet from the almost constant rain, but our spirits were far from dampened. The good humour and light-hearted banter of our Chairman throughout was the hallmark of this seven hour, fifteen mile, walk as we wound our way along the Pilgrim Road back to the hospitality of O’Connors Bar at Cloghane.

The picturesque Car Park at Brandon Point was the new start for the twenty “B” walkers. Ben outlined the approximate route for us, and suggested a number of variations that he left up to the participants to choose for themselves as the day progressed. What wonderful views awaited us! The Magharees, Kerry Head and even as far north as Loop Head in Clare were in evidence, while immediately (and quite steeply) beneath us the seas around Deelick Point beat onto the vertical cliffs. Unusually for a “B” walk we encountered a gully or two, and a bit of scrambling, all of which added to the excitement of the day. We were fortunate that we escaped the amount of rain that our confreres were experiencing on the higher ground to our southwest, but we did get a small amount. What harm? We were having a great time, and as it was the group that was effectively leading the walk, we had no time to bother about a drop of rain. The navigation was in safe hands, to the extent that we found ourselves on a section of the Dingle Way that led us safely and cheerily back to Cloghane, where we linked up with the “A” walkers.

A plate of food and a pint to wash it down rounded off this great days walking. It is hard to beat the Brandon Mountains for the variety of walking that they offer. Well done to Ben and Pat for bringing both of these imaginative walks home safely.

We have no less than four walks planned for next weekend! Pat Haverty – (08... – is leading a moderate “A” walk of 5 hours approx in The Burren at 10 a m. Those interested should contact him for details of the assembling and starting points. Robin Lee – (08... – is leading another moderate “A” walk from Darragh Bridge at 10 a m as well, and this is approx 5 hours also. John Hennessy – (087) 9686529 – is taking a “B” walk of 3 to 4 hours on Darragh River at 11 a m and, finally, Patsy McGrath will start the Staker Wallis Historical walk from Martinstown Church at 12 noon. This will be approx 4 hours.

Don’t forget. Monday night next at Glenanaar Wood Car Park at 7.00 – Cal McCarthy leads the short walk to the Mass Rock for evening Mass there. This is a new event on our calendar, and it is open to everyone, not just club members.