Kanturk Hillwalkers and Mountain Climbers | Blog

On Wed 27/12/17 the club outing was to Mangerton Mountain. Leaving town at 09.30 we headed for Killarney the roads were dodgy but drivable with care. The weather looked ok. After Barraduff we ran into a heavy shower of hail but decided to continue. Before reaching Killarney the sky brightened. We parked up at the trail head where already there was a few cars and people about. We changed into our gear and started the climb, conditions underfoot were quite muddy, and a few hundred meters in we got a shower of hail, which thankfully cleared. Onwards and upwards we went through Cormacs Haggard where here in 1262 Cormac Mac Cartaigh defeated the Anglo Norman FitzGeralds. However Cormac lost his life in the melee. As we ascended conditions underfoot got better we made steady progress each meter gained helping to shed the Christmas excesses, Turkey, plump pudding, trifle,beer wine evaporating as we crunched our way through the snow.The talking stopped and all that could be heard above the

On Sunday 18/12 the club walk was the Glenageenty loop near Castleisland. This was the walk that was scheduled for last week but was cancelled due to bad weather. We set off at 09.30 and parked up at the trailhead which is off to the right from the Castleisland / Tralee road. This is a wild isolated part of the country which has been a refuge for many a fugitive down through the centuries. The most famous being the Earl of Deasmond who hid out here after the failed rebellion.He was eventually betrayed by one of his own and was beheaded in 1583 by a Donal o Kelly. His head was sent to Queen Elizabeth 1 as a present and she had it displayed on London Bridge. The walk is mostly on gravel tracks and forest paths  and criss crosses the Glounageenty river which flows through a deep glenn.It is well laid out with plenty of information boards explaining the history of the area It was here too that Captain Robert Monteith hid form the British Army and RIC after the failed attempt to land arm

The Sunday 10/12  club walk in the Castleisland area was cancelled due to the inclement weather. Heavy rain and the treat of snow and icy led to this decision. A wise one as it turned out. “ Walking is like an enema it gets rid of the crap from your head”.

On Sunday 26/11 the club set out for Killarney leaving town at 08.30 we headed for the car park out the Muckross road just after Torc waterfall. Our route today was up by Torc waterfall and up through Muckross wood on then onto the old Kenmare road. With the Owengarriffe river to our right we ascended the steps which would lead us past the iconic Torc waterfall which is between 70 to 80 feet in height. The Owengarriffe river rises in the Devils Punchbowl. We continued past the waterfall. Looking back through the trees the lakes were visible as well as Muckross. Reaching the old Kenmare road we followed it past the Torc summit path to our right and with a snow covered Mangerton to our left we continued for a few kilometers along the Kerry Way. We were fortunate to spot some red deer on route. These native animals blend in with the habitat. We were informed by a knowledgeable member that these were the female of the species.He had his way of knowing. After some time it was decid

On Sunday 12 November the club walk was the Claragh Loop. At 14.00 we left town and headed to Millstreet which sits at the junction where the Boggeragh and Derrynasaggart mountains meet. Parking up beyond the Grotto we walked back to a bohereen that turns right into the hill. We then turned to our right off this up through Mount Leader wood. Following a well defined path and markers we made our way through forest and then on to open boggy ground, gaining height as we went. The talking tapered off  as we ascended. The views opened up  Ballydaly, Rathmore, Millstreet, Cullen could be plainly seen on what was a beautiful winters day, excellent weather for hill walking. Finally we reached the summit (452) from here it is said nine churches can be seen, also the Lakes of Killarney and Brandon. We rested here for awhile, before heading on toward the trig point and following the markers down the side of the mountain where after some time came to a track which ran beside the ruins of old

On Sat 28/10 the club outing was to Killarney where we planned to ascend the famous Cardiac Steps and continue on to the summit of Torc mountain. ( 535mtr.) Leaving town at 08.30 we set off for the car park on the right past the Jarveys Rest out the Muckross road. There was no coffee stop, so we changed into our gear and started straight away. This was a bit of a shock to those who had left home without a proper breakfast. Onwards and upwards we went until we reached the Cardiac Steps. Suffice to say they are exactly what they say on the tin. Up and up they go, no hiding place here. The only excuse to get a break is to stop and admire the beautiful views. Towards the top there is a roped section which is welcome. After many “ we are almost there “ false alarms  the path finally leveled out. At the top of the Steps is a beehive hut. Our designated step counter gave up after 1000 Steps. We traversed the slopes of the mountain and descended through forest to the old Kenmare Road

The Bull McCabe is alive and well and living in Ballyduff. On Sat 14/10 the club outing was to Ballyduff  near Camp. This was a much anticipated bus trip and we left town at 8.00 AM. We then travelled to Camp where we changed into our walking gear and pick up some members who had travelled by car. The bus then took us to the start at a point where the  Glennahoo river crosses the road. This is at a dangerous corner so we quickly alighted from the bus. Here a tricky situation was averted by some quick thinking and some very fast walking. Having no plan B we had to proceed with plan A. Having put some light between us and the problem we continued into the Macha na Bo (Plain of the cows) valley. With the glenagoo river to our right and Beenatoor 645 mtrs towering above us to our left and Gob an Iolair 527 to our right we continued along a fairly good track.Along the way is a plaque to the memory of a person who died in a fall on the mountain in 2007 a stark reminder that hill walking

The club outing on Sunday 08/10 was to Curra Hill which overlooks Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh in Kerry. A small but enthusiastic crew set off at 8.30. After a quick Coffey stop in Glenbeigh we went to the staring point at Faha Wood. Here there is ample parking. We headed off through  a fairy trail dotted with little houses and fairy door ect all put in by the local community. It is a magical place to bring young children for a stroll. Leaving the fairy trail behind we turned up the hill, through forestry. Though only 275 meters it is fairly steep and could be classed as a cousin to the bike track on Mount Hillary. Finally we emerged from the trees and some great views opened up looking down on Glenbeigh and across to Inch. As we climbed the view got better Dingle Peninsula, Rossbeigh were spread out in all their glory. The weather was ideal for walking and ground conditions were good. Onwards and upwards we went. When we came to the summit we deviated from the planned route and went fur

On Sunday 1st. October the club outing was to the Ballyhoura mountains. We set off at 8.30 and headed to the start near Ardpatrick in Co. Limerick. Here there is a secure monitored car park. Toilets showers changing room tea and coffee are also available. This is also a major mountain biking area the largest in Ireland with 98 klms of trails. After a quick coffee we took the purple trail which would lead us to Seefin mountain summit at 528 meters. This walk is varied and has some farm tracks, wood land and open mountain. The weather wasn't great and there was some mist and fog. Rain gear was put on and taken off a few times. Towards the top on open mountain is was very windy. We took shelter at the foot of the trig point and had refreshments. Is is said that on a clear day you can see the six counties of Munster from here, but for us it was not to be as a fog brought visibility down to about a hundred meters. While we were sheltering in the lee of the rock a hardy soul sped by i

On Sunday 17 September we headed west towards Dingle to Mount Brandon. We stopped in Dingle for coffee and on then to Baile Breac. This is on the Cosan na Naomh { Saints Path } routh which starts at Ventry beach and ends at the summit of Mount Brandon.We parked here and began our climb. The weather was excellent and conditions underfoot were good. Mount Brandon is the ninth highest mountain in Ireland and the second highest outside of the Mcgillycuddy Reeks.At 952 meters it is only 86 meters shy of Carrauntoohill. The route is well marked with the fourteen Stations of the Cross at intervals all the way up. The start of the climb is gentle enough but as you gain altitude it gets steeper.The views are breathtaking looking out over the patch work of fields and towards the Blaskets and Schellig Michael, Smerwick Harbour and the Three Sisters. There were many stops to admire the scenery. Looking ahead the cloud was covering part of the mountain and we were hoping that it would be clear

On Sunday 3 Sept the club walk was on the Sheeps Head in beautiful West Cork. Leaving Kanturk at 8.15 approx we set off on the long journey down. We stopped in Bantry at the Bake house for tea / coffee. Onwards then through Kilcrohane and then we reached the end of the road at Bernies Cupan Te cafe and parked up. We headed first for the lighthouse perched on a cliff above the waves. Then putting the sea to our left we continued along the Poets Way loop. This is named after a local poet Denis M Cronin  1866 / 1929 who died in Yonkers New York. A plaque inscribed with one of his verse is located along the way. Following the torrential rain on Saturday the ground conditions were wet to put it mildly, and boots were tested as to their ability to keep out the damp. Needless to say with conditions so slippery there were one or two falls but thankfully no injuries. Even though the coastal fog never lifted we still got some great sea views. We stopped for a break and some food about h

 On Sun, Aug. 6th we set off on another new trip,with a good group of 13,.this time to the the Cliffs Of  Moher Walking Trail which is approx. 20 km long. Our first destination was Doolin which was nearly 90 miles away through Ennis & Ennistymon where we parked our cars and boarded the Park & Ride Bus to the start of the trail near Liscannor  We have climbed higher, longer & tougher but this really was a day to remember as only by visiting this place will you really appreciate the sheer beauty & all the unbelievable views that make up this trip where you really are walking close to the edge. This trail is as dangerous as you want to make it, there is in most place's an inner path which is safer or another which is close to the edge. It really is in your own hands & up to how brave you are but you really could get in trouble if you started to mess around. You can fairly easily get fantastic views by taking a bit of care & get the real height of the C

 On a year of firsts we did another new one and that was a Night Climb Up Mushera to see the Sunrise for the Summer Solstice.  We were hoping for a good sunrise like they got on Carrauntoohill a few years ago A group of 7 did the night climb leaving Kanturk at 3.30am and arriving at the gates of Millstreet Country Park at about 4am . The weather that night was good enough but you still had to take things slowly but for even the time of the year even the bottom of Mushera was still very dry. The only thing we were progressing fairly quickly and had to take a break below the top as we did not want to be on top too early in the wind. We arrived at the top for about 5am but to our disappointment no sun came out for the sunrise. It really only just got brighter but off we went back to our daily work lives with a tale to tell.  But still for most of us it was something new and different and one off the bucket list and will probably be added to the Annual Walk List.