Ballyhoura Bears Walks 13th June 2010

Last Thursday evening’s walk took on something of a change from our regular Thursday evening walks. Ben O’Sullivan decided to lead a walk from Kilmallock Church on a loop to Tankardstown and Knocksouna returning to the start via Glenfield. There was a distinct historical flavour to this imaginative route – the site of the mediaeval church of Naomh Mocheallóg on Kilmallock Hill, the grave of J K Bracken at Tankardstown, one of the founder members of the G A A and father of Brendan Bracken the founder of The Financial Times, The Hill of Samhan at Knocksouna and the monument to the Three Martyrs at the old town wall behind the church on our return - sprinkled this three hour walk in glorious weather and vivid birdsong with nuggets of stories from our past. At the end all seventeen of us were treated to typical O’Sullivan hospitality at Deebert House Hotel.

On Saturday Robin Lee had a slightly ambitious plan for the beginners walk from Ardpatrick. We went by car to Glenosheen and then on foot along the Goats Path to Coolfree Mountain. Taking advantage of the fine morning we ventured up the slightly steep incline to the top of Coolfree. All along the way we were greeted by a proliferation of blossoms that seem to thrive on this undisturbed track – flora that one would expect to find on The Burren. On reaching the top of this hill we were met with a blanket of Bog Cotton bobbing away in the breeze in front of us surrounding the target of our walk – Shanahan’s Rock. It is never easy to get onto this rock, but when you do, and you have a day like last Saturday, the reward is just wonderful. It was hard to pull ourselves away from it to start our journey home, accompanied by the sound of the cuckoo bidding us farewell from her safe recluse on the top of Coolfree.

Jim Flynn assembled an enthusiastic group at Christ the King in Aherlow for the “B” walk on Sunday. Some of these were those that have progressed from the beginners walks and who had turned up to experience the delights of The Glen of Aherlow. There is a labyrinth of routes in and around the Glen and it takes someone who is intimate with these to mix them together in bits and pieces and come up with a satisfying walk taking in as much of the views as possible. Jim did this on Sunday and The Glen was at its spanking best for us. Once we rose onto Slieve na Muc on the north the whole of the valley opened up beneath us and how rich and fertile it looked? The majesty of the Galty range rising steeply to the south, changing colour almost by the minute, completed this beautiful panorama on that side, while the flat luxuriant plains of Tipperary and Limerick extended to the north. A walk to remember.

Sometimes a particular walk jumps out at you from the quarterly calendar of walks that we get as being “a must”. One such was the “A” walk on Sunday. Led by Michael Moroney and planned by him and Joan Caulfield, it attracted forty one walkers to Lisleabane Car Park at the Kerry Reeks in anticipation of a walk to the highest point of the country. The weather forecast dictated caution. The size of the group dictated likewise, ranging in ages from those that had not yet reached their teenage years to others that admitted to facing seventy! The choice of route to the top was going to be critical to the success of the day. The ZigZag was selected as the most appropriate course, and this choice proved to be absolutely correct. Having completed this section of the ascent we headed on to the top of the Devil’s Ladder, and then for the final 350M lift to the top. It is a credit to Mike how he manages to keep his group together. For a number of the group this was a first time on Corrauntohill. What a treat they got? The cloud that was hanging over to top as we advanced on it cleared away as if to order, leaving us with a breathtaking view of everything around us. This was the perfect setting for our well earned lunch break. The selection of the route down from the top was every bit as important as the way up. A message from two other Bears that were on the mountain told us not to try The Heavenly Gates. The Devil’s Ladder? No, too dangerous. The Balcony? No, too exposed. Eventually the way down was to retrace what we had done earlier and it was just as well Mike chose this course. Just at the top of the ZigZag we encountered a five minute squall that pinned us to the side of the mountain before we could resume our way home. Had we been elsewhere on the mountain we may not have been as safe. Everyone arrived back at their cars safe and sound after six wonderful hours in one of the most beautiful parts of this country. Well done to Mike and Joan for a wonderful day.

Pat Casey – (086) 3824711 – will lead the Thursday evening walk from Ardptrick at 7.30 this Thurs. Liz Enright – (087) 2873937 – will lead the Beginners Walk from Ardpatrick Church at 12 noon on Saturday. Mary Ryan –(061) 381244 – will lead a strenuous “A” walk from Glengarra Wood at 10 a m while Susie Flavin – (085) 1448015 - will lead a moderate “A” walk from Greenwood Cycle Track Car Park at 11.00 a m. Be sure to bring membership cards for free parking.