Ballyhoura Bears Walks Report - 17th July 2011

In keeping with the popularity of the Thursday evening walks, we had a compliment of twenty one walkers out on the Darragh Bridge walk last Thursday. It was gratifying to see that one of these was returning to walking after an absence of ten years, and what an enjoyable night she had. Bridget Hennessy took us on a loop of the Molanna riverbank and back to Darragh by the forest road. The river never ceases to provide pleasure at anytime, but at this time of the year it is just bursting with character and full of flora and wildlife. It is these little oases during the middle of the working week that add to the pleasure of walking as a pastime. Bridget has a keen eye for this type of thing, and nothing passes her attention on a walk like this, adding to the entertainment of the evening.

The Beginner’s walk stayed local on Saturday in order to take advantage of as much shelter as was available in the Greenwood from the rain that was threatening. The core group that usually turns out on these walks was well complimented by the less frequent enthusiasts. Off we went with plenty of wet gear to see us through the trek, heading up Seefin from the old car park. Murphy’s law soon obtained; the morning cleared everywhere about of us and the views opened up. Few things put a walker in better humour than to be favoured by good conditions when it is least expected. Soon everyone was chirping in time to our step, and when this happens you don’t feel yourself putting a few miles behind you. The observation made by one of our company that despite all of the doom and gloom about us at present ‘they’ couldn’t take the beauty and solitude of our countryside from us, was wholly appropriate.

Willie O’Rourke led the “B” walkers from Ballianaboola upper car park to The Mast on Sunday. Eighteen turned up for the day, including newcomers and visitors from the Galty Walking Club. This is always an exciting walk, but Willie had a surprise up his sleeve for us. Why was he going this way? Was he unsure? Where does this track lead to? All very apposite questions when he seemed to stray from the straight and narrow. His surprise unfolded bit by bit as we realised that the route that he had chosen for us was a southern approach on to Carron Mountain and thence to The Mast. Nice touch, and wholly unexpected. The weather behaved suitably, although we could see that there were the ‘mother and father’ of squally showers everywhere around us. We were spared these throughout. Our return to our cars brought out the chivalry in our male participants as they lined up to change a flat tyre for one of our ‘maidens in distress’. Take a bow lads!  

The “A” walkers were under the charge of Mary O’Connell for the day. We met at Daly's Filling Station in Killarney at 9.30 a m on a wet windy foggy morning, but we were not to be deterred from our target of the day – Mangerton Mountain. Eleven of us travelled on to the Torc upper car park. From there we set off at 10 o’clock walking initially through Killarney National Park and up to Barnacurrane. Conditions continued to be windy and cloudy, and unfortunately visibility was low. We climbed steadily up to the Devil's Punch Bowl and from there to the top of Mangerton. We walked along the plateau which was exhilarating, even if we were being denied the unique views that this mountain provides at it’s ease. Fortunately the strong winds were at our backs and we were being  pushed us along with little effort.It was very wet by now. On we went to Stoompa, and descended down the spur to the Garygary lake. Here we had to cross a stream which had become a fast flowing river after the overnight heavy rain. Care is essential at moments such as these – statistics show that more accidents happen to walkers while crossing rivers and streams than on the mountains proper. Many boots were full of water when we reached the other side!  By now the clouds had lifted, and before long we were on the track down past the Tooreencormick battle field site and back to the cars. A great time had by all with promises to return (hopefully on a more clement day). Well done mary for taking us through this energetic walk safely.

Thursday next sees Declan Clancy – 087 9792174 -  take the evening walk from Glenosheen at 7.30 p m. The Beginner’s Walk on Saturday leaves as usual from Ardpatrick Community Centre Car Park at 12.00 noon, and this will be in association with Ardpatrick Festival. All are welcome to take part in this two hour walk in the locality, with refreshments being served on our return to Ardpatrick. Enquiries from Robin Lee – 087 6385290. Cyril Morley has one of his unique walks planned for Saturday as well. This time it is an 8 mile walking tour of Bere Island in West Cork, followed by a cruise down the harbour to the fisheries. The meeting point for this escapade is at the pier at Castletownberehaven at 11.30 a m on Saturday morning. Cyril can be contacted about this walk or about any B & B requirements at 086 1709677 or 021 4546966. On Sunday Susie Flavin – 085 1448015 -  will lead an “A” moderate walk from Ballyorgan at 10.00 a m, while Tom Mc Carthy – 085 7605268 – will be at Ballyorgan as well at 11.00 a m to lead off the “B” walk for the day.