Ballyhoura Bears Walk Report from the Burren Challenge

by Elizabeth Enright

Last weekend's walks started with a group of Bears taking on the Burren Challenge. This is the second year of the Challenge which is reputed to have been contrived in Las Vegas, true or otherwise this brainchild produced some 1600 participants to take part in three disciplines, a 6mile road race, a half marathon and a full marathon. Nothing less than the full marathon for all 10 Bears, traversing road, green road and yet more road. We started out in rain but as we descended into Fanore Village with the Aran Islands in full view the day gave way to glorious sunshine. The routes in Clare seem to favour the runner more than the hillwalker but they must be commended in Ballyvaughan for organising what is clearly a very successful event.

Our Sunday’s ‘A’ walk took us back to Kate Kearneys for another assaults on Purple and Tomies, this time under the stewardship of Pat Lombard. 15 walkers assembled on time at 9.30am and with perfect weather conditions commenced with an ascent of Tomies and then to Purple. We dropped to the Lake for lunch, basking in sunshine, and thence across the hill of the Gap(of Dunloe) , moving up to Drishanna before skirting up along the ridge of the coll. We continued on to the spot height at the start of the Reeks before descending to the zig zag and making our way back to Kate Kearneys just before 4pm. All in all. a perfect day, perfect weather in perfect surroundings. Our thanks to Pat Lombard for his leadership.

20 ‘B’ walkers met at Doneraile Park gates and the fine weather prompted our leader, Jim Flynn, to commence the walk out of the Park and then up to Streamhill. Leaving Streamhill we headed up towards the Mast with distinct views of the Nagle Mountains and yet still the Paps in kerry being afforded to us. Our group include some new faces and all were more than pleased with the panorama laid open to us. We looped our way back to our cars in Doneraile to complete our 4 hour walk, having intended crossing the fords but deciding to leave this for another day.

Thursday evening’s walk is also being led by Jim Flynn at Galtee Castle Car Park at 7.30pm, contact Jim at 087 2833456.

Next weekend is the annual Aherlow Walking Festival with walks on all three days of the Bank Holiday weekend, enjoy!