Ballyhoura Bears 7th February 2010

By Robin Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)

In preparation for The Ballyhoura International Walking Festival on the May Bank Holiday weekend last Sunday’s “A” and “B” walk was a combined walk taking in the first half of the marathon route. Twenty-six of us assembled at Glenanaar Car Park. Leaving our cars there we were transported by bus to the start in Kilfinane on a cool breezy morning. The planned route was to leave the town for Magnier’s Wood and thence to Fox’s Field before heading west for a while to the village of Ballyorgan. A few at the head of the group established a lively pace, which was sustained with the assistance of the kind weather and firm underfoot conditions. Arriving at Ballyorgan we went through the Holiday Cottages heading further west until we arrived at Glenosheen where we took the opportunity for a “banana break” and to regroup. Turning south, now, we travelled the Goats Path and on to the Colfree Mountain. Our group were from as far away as Cork and Limerick Cities and given that there was not much climbing involved the opportunity for lively conversation throughout was seised by all. The trek through Coolfree Mountain and Quitrent Mountain was quite invigorating as often treks through high wooded areas can be. Exiting the Coillte lands at the south of Quitrent Mountain we turned west again through Ballyguyroe and on to Bauntlea. We were now on the home stretch, entering onto the banks of the Farrihy River which was in full flow. Coillte have done a lot of harvesting in this locality recently rendering it less hospitable than hitherto for us walkers, but all of this will be attended to before the walking festival. The walk was timed for five hours approximately and that was the time it too us to cover the 22 kilometres. Robin Lee led the walk, which was a most useful exercise in familiarizing the participants with this half of the marathon route. The second part of the marathon will be walked on Sunday week, 21st February.

Next weekend Mary Ryan – (061) 381244 – will lead a strenuous 6 hour “A” walk on the Comeragh Mountains, meeting at Melodys Pub at 9.30 a m. Deirdre Fitzpatrick – (063) 91255 - will lead the “B” walk from Ballyorgan National School departing at 11a m and is billed to take between 3 & 4 hours.