Sunday, February 14th 2010, Walk Report

By Robin Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)

The Club is continuing it’s theme of rehearsing the walks that will be undertaken in the upcoming Ballyhoura International Walking Festival while at the same time providing attractive walks for members.

The Comeraghs was the range that was selected for last Sunday’s “A” walk. Mary Ryan was the selected leader and not to miss out on a moment of daylight she assembled her group at Melody’s Pub at 9.30 a m where she outlined the day that she had planned for them. Due to the fine weather that was forecast (and in spite of the romantic day that was in it!) a larger than expected group arrived at the start. It didn’t take Mary long to impart her plan for the day, and what a day was in store for us? Our first departure was for The Gap. As we rose steadily on a clear, crisp bright morning the pasturelands of south Tipperary opened up beneath us revealing Carrick-on-Suir to the east, and the path of the River Suir heading southwards in the direction of Waterford. It was now our turn to veer to the south and this we did as we negotiated the steep declines and rises that were to lead us to Crotty’s Rock via the Coum Iartthat Loughs. Crotty’s Rock is always a welcome oasis on this circuit, providing as it does both shelter and fine views for a food break. We allowed it to provide us with this hospitality on Sunday. Replenished, and with a lot to do before we could call the day at an end, we proceeded onwards to the south west towards Knockaunapeebra leaving the spectacular Mahon Falls to the south of us. The planned loop was now taking us to the northwest as we descended gradually to the paths and tracks that were to lead us back to the cars at the base of The Gap. The walk was set to take six hours and we needed every bit of this time to achieve loop. Mary, as usual, has meticulously planned this walk and led it superbly to a most satisfactory conclusion.

In preparation for the forthcoming Festival the “B” walk was planned to cover the route that the “B” walk will take on the Saturday of the Festival. It could hardly have been predicted when the current walks list was being prepared last November that Blackrock would be in Croke Park last Saturday night. Deirdre Fitzpatrick was therefore forgiven for turning her attention to this historic occasion at the expense of surrendering her leadership of this walk to Susie Flavin, who took on the task willingly and at short notice. These rehearsals of Festival walks are proving to be very popular. Twenty-four walkers assembled at Ballyorgan and proceeded thence via Kilflynn Church on to the Molanna River. The wonderful work that Johnnie Hennessy and his team carried out on the riverbank and the stiles has endured through all of the inclement weather. We soon found ourselves at Darragh Bridge, whence we advanced on to The Bothareen Dearg and through the Beech Forest. This is a spectacular walk at anytime of the year; Sunday was no exception. Proceeding on through the Coillte tracks we descended soon on to the road barrier at Garryarthur. Crossing the road here we descended further through McCarthy’s field (with kind permission) and on to the Molanna again. We retraced our earlier riverbank walk, by Carraig an Piobaire to Ballydonoghue Bridge, Kilflynn Church and finally Ballyorgan. Altogether this walk measured fifteen Kilometres – just what is needed for the Saturday “B” walk in May. Well-done Susie for conducting this successful trek

While on a congratulatory mood it is with pleasure that we congratulate Blackrock G A A Club on its historic success in winning the All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship at Croke Park last Saturday night.

Next Sunday we will continue with the preparations for the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival. The “A” walk will be the second half of the planned Marathon route from Glenanaar Car Park to Kilfinane. Intending participants should assemble at Doherty’s House, Kilfinane approx 9.30 a m for bus transfer (small charge) to the start at Glenanaar. The “B” walk will take in approx half of the “A” route and intending participants for this walk should be at The Lacca Car Park by 9.45 a m and wait for bus collection (smaller charge) there. Enquiries and bus reservations – by Saturday – to Robin Lee (087) 6385290.

Tuesday next, 23rd Feb is the date of the first Club open meeting for 2010 at Ardpartick Community Centre at 8.00 p m. This meeting is open to all members and it will be chaired by our Chairman, Denis Bates. All members are encouraged to attend to present their views on the club’s current activities.