Sunday July 12th 2009, Walk Report

By Robert Lee (Ballyhoura Bears PRO)
Regular readers of these notes might be forgiven for thinking that the Club is lacking in imagination when they read that last Thursday evening we were on the banks of The Molanna, yet again. Not so. Although we have incorporated this beautiful river walk into a number of other Club walks recently, Willie O’Rourke saw it fitting to devote an evening walk exclusively to the river and to exhibit the wonderful work that Johnnie Hennessy and his team have done in creating this 5 Km of magic between Ballydonoghue and Darragh. Twenty walkers turned up on a lovely calm evening with an age span of 60 years or more from youngest to oldest. We had a tremendous time, going to show that it is not only the venue, but the participants, as well, that go to make up an enjoyable walk. The more that this route is used the more mature it will become for an established walk – everyone is encouraged to walk all or as much of this path as they wish, and to enjoy its uniqueness.

On Sunday the scheduled walks were at home. Mike Moroney started the “A” walk from Cush Car Park at 10 a m. We set us off on the Glencush Horseshoe on the Galtees. Weather predictions were poor, but we seemed to walk our way around the showers that were evident all about us during the day. Once on the Ice Road we advanced on Lough Curra and then on to Slievecushnabinna on the steep rocky ascent that overhangs this westernmost of the five Galtee lakes. Given the relentless rain on Saturday all of the rivers and streams that flow from this region into the Clydagh River were in full and spectacular spate; a sight more associated with Winter or Spring walking than the month of July. Onwards we went by the Wall, and on to Galteemore where we feasted on the views of Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Waterford …. and our lunch! Fully replenished now, we covered the rather soggy terrain on the way to Galtybeg and then on to the more hospitable Gated Steps to the foot of Cush. This was our final “lift” of the day. It was dispatched with ease in the knowledge that once this was behind us there was a Munster Final to contest at Moroney’s Pub in Lisvarrinane. A satisfactory conclusion to a wonderful day’s walking.

Local lore and history is every bit as important on a good walk as is the exercise, views, and friendships. Bridget Hennessy ensured that all of these ingredients were present in her “B” walk on Sunday. Departing Garyarthur forest, we went directly to Cilcruaig (401M) through the Christmas Tree plantation, bypassing the forest road completely. While this is the name given to the townland and, also, the hill dominating it, the name attributed to this hill in the Ordinance Survey Discovery series is Carrigeenamronety. The hill is also known as Knock Brone (Carraigin na mBróinte- the hill of the millstones). These millstones used to be quarried near the peak and, even now, there is evidence of some of these on the northern side of the peak covered over with heather etc.

Beneath the large rock that commands the peak is a cave called Seomra Nora – Nora’s Chamber. Nora is reputed to be the daughter of one of the White Knights (maybe Maurice Fitz Gibbon, the first White Knight – cf .The White Knights of Munster, Kilmallock Journal No6, Nollaig 2008, p22 et seq). She was very beautiful and had many suitors, but one in particular whom she loved, a Sir Redmond. Her father had arranged a marriage for her, however, to an old chieftain, who, on their marriage day, let it slip that he was already married. In her grief Nora stabbed him in the heart with a dagger and fled. She made her home at Carraigin na mBróinte living in the cave and feeding on the berries and herbs of the hillside. From here she witnessed a great battle at the Pass of Radchair and the slaying there of her true love. In her grief she carved a coffin out of the rock with the same knife with which she had killed the chieftain. She laid herself in this coffin and expired there peacefully. Locals subsequently discovered her remains. They were taken to the Priory at Kilmallock and laid to rest there, most probably because this was where the remains of both her parents were entombed. While this story endures, it is not possible to visit this locus. It is a special area of conservation due to the nesting there of the Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier (cf. Irish Birds –their Nests and Eggs. Christy Dorgan pps 43 & 45). Also to be seen here is the Killarney Fern, possibly the only location for it to be found outside Killarney.

Our next target was the Mass Rock and along by the county boundary towards Castle Gael providing us with the special views that only it can deliver on clear days like we had on Sunday. Descending to Darragh we followed the river bank to Garryarthur and back to the start by the path through McCarthy’s field. A thoroughly enjoyable walk that had everything. Well-done Bridget.

Both “A” and “B” walks are in Kerry on Sunday, meeting at the lower Car Park for Torc Waterfall at 9.30 a m. Pat Moriarty – (087) 2652242 - will take the “A” walk on part of the old Kenmare Road and on the high route to Mangarton Mountain – 6 hours approx. Meanwhile Mary Blewitt – (063) 98115 – will lead a moderate “B” walk of 13 mls from the same starting point. Names in advance for Bus arrangements to either Mary or Pat. Finally, Jim Flynn – (087) 2833456 takes charge of the evening walk on Thursday leaving Ballinvreena at 7.30.