Walking Report 27th June 2010

The popularity of walking as a pastime is becoming more evident now that the fine weather has insisted on staying with us. Mary Murphy’s walk to Slievereagh on the longest day of the year is an example. Upwards of one hundred walkers assembled at Glenbrohane Church on 21st June to make the ascent to the mast on Slievereagh and to sample there the delights of the surrounding countryside. This walk compliments the same walk that takes place on the shortest day of the year. One could hardly believe that six months has passed since we made the same ascent in soft snow and crisp clear air on the 21st December last. Those of us that made the two walks have been fortunate to experience the same view from the mast in the clear dark night of December with all of the area around lit up by a myriad of Christmas lighting and, by contrast, the soft tones of a setting sun last Monday. Let it be Winter or Summer, Mary adds the same cheerfulness to this walk always.

On Thursday Robin Lee led an evening walk of eighteen walkers to the Megalithic Tomb known as “Darby’s Bed” near Galbally. What wonderful place names exist around here – Duntryleague, Snughborough, Deerpark Hill? We visited them all in glorious sunshine. Such was the evening that, as we were on our return on the loop, we were able to view the vast expanse of territory that stretches north towards Lough Derg and West to the mouth of the Shannon. This is one of the wonderful excitements of walking; to be able to recognize landmarks and the topography of the surrounding countryside.

Friday night saw us coming together again, but not for walking this time. Upwards of ninety of us congregated at Kathleen Dalys premises at Darragh for a Barbecue. This was a “thank you” to all of those that in any way contributed to making the Ballyhoura International Walking Festival such a success last May. It was a great night. There was a copious quantity of food, with Kathleen and Mary supplying the beverages to wash it down, and the confectionary to round it off. The weather was kind, the chat was lively and the venue was magic. Many thanks to Kathleen and Mary for the hospitality they showed to us.

Last Sunday, being the last Sunday in June, is the day that we go to Mount Brandon. Forty “A” walkers turned up at Cloghane for this venture. It was decided to split the group into a strenuous and not so strenuous walk. Pat Moriarty took the strenuous group off to Brandon Point to commence their walk while Ben O’ Sullivan took the other group to join the Dingle Way at Teer near Cé Bhréanainn. Off with us enthused by the glorious weather that greeted us. It is hazardous to depend on the weather on the Kerry mountains; it is folly to depend on it on Brandon! Soon after getting underway we were reminded of this as we advanced on our planned meeting point at Piaras Mór. Pat’s group took the scenic route around the sheer cliffs of Sauce Creek and on to Measatiompan (763M), while Ben’s group kept to the Dingle Way to the “Forgotten Village” and on to the Ogham Stone before reaching the shelter of a stone circle beneath Piaras Mór. This provided an ideal ‘Room with a View’ in which to have our lunch break. The timing was perfect as the two groups merged here and advanced thence to Brandon Mountain (952M). As is it’s wont, Mt Brandon had bad weather in store for us. The wind and rain increased in intensity as we progressed to the top turning into hailstones at the top. The descent had to be taken slowly and carefully until the sheer bits were behind us, by which time we were beneath the worst of the conditions. Slowly the beauty of Brandon Bay opened up before us as we made our way back to Cloghane after six hours of most pleasant walking. Well done to Ben and Pat for putting these walks together and for getting us all home safely.

Our President, Michael Joe Hennessy took charge of the “B” walk on Sunday from Darragh Bridge. Who better to conduct a walk from here? It is his áit duchais and he knows every nook and cranny of the locality. We were blessed with wonderful weather. If there is anything that puts a bunch of walkers in good humour it is good weather. Our first target was Castle Gael. On reaching it we were presented with the views that are special to this spot, extending to Counties Clare and Galway on the west to Kerry, Cork and Waterford on the south and east. On a day like we had on Sunday you could spend a lot of time on Castle Gael picking out familiar landmarks and places of interest on the landscape. Reluctantly we departed the hospitality of Castle Gael for the charm of The Molanna River. This column predicted some time ago that this walk would mature into a little gem, after all of the hard work that has been done on it. This has come to pass. There is a labyrinth of nature along it’s banks and all of this was on display on Sunday. It was all too soon that we found ourselves back at Darragh, regaled throughout with the local knowledge that our President imparted to us throughout.

On Thursday next, 1st July, Declan Clancy – 087 9792174 - will lead a walk from Ballinaboola top Car Park at 7.30 p m. The Saturday beginner’s walk will take off from Ardpatrick Church at 12 noon – contact Robin Lee 087 6385290. On Sunday there is a strenuous “A” walk in Kerry – The Counloughra Horseshoe. This is in preparation for the away trip to the Alps in August. Contact Eugene Stephens 087 2804637. Meet at Gateway Texaco Station at 9.30 or Cronin’s Yard at 10.00. Deirdre Fitzpatrick – 063 91225 - will lead the “B” walk to Slievereagh from Glenbrohane Church at 11.00 a m. Finally, but by no means least, there is the annual Mass at Glenanaar Mass Rock on Monday night next, 5th July. Meet at Glenanaar Car Park at 7.15 when Cal McCarthy will lead the walk to the Mass Rock and return by the two rivers after Mass.