June News Letter

Hillwalking Newsletter

Countdown to Comeragh Crossing

The countdown to the Comeragh Crossing is well and truly underway. The action will take place on Saturday July 5^th, when hordes of walkers descend on the Comeragh Mountains and trek a route between Clonmel and Dungarvan. As in other years, you can do the whole crossing or a section, and volunteers will be there at every checkpoint to help you out and give you sustenance. Afterwards, there’ll be a slap up feed in the soccer club. There will be souvenirs, but Richard Dykes says that they’re top secret. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tony Fitzgerald on: 0872599171 

New Patches Available

It’s the must have walking accessory of the season. It’s the brand-new Dungarvan Hillwalking Club patch. It’s a handsome shade of blue, and it features the new Dungarvan Hillwalking Club logo. You can buy them for €5 from members of the committee. You can sew or Velcro them to your coat or hang them from your rucksack to make a splash. 

Cunnigar Crossing: Sunday 13^th July 

Time and tide waits for no man, and as soon as the excitement of the Comeragh Crossing has died down, it’s time to prepare for another crossing, the Cunnigar Crossing. This will take place on Sunday 13^th July, time to be confirmed. This event is hugely popular and walkers enjoy the novelty of wading across the Cunnigar sandbar, onto the beach and up to Tig an Cheoil pub for some delicious grub. Funds will be raised for the Lions Club. The minibus from Tig an Cheoil costs €3. 

Thursday Walk: Carrigavantry Reservoir 

A group of 10 intrepid walkers ventured to the east of the county for a walk around Carrigavantry Reservoir, near Tramore. It was a steady walk of just under three hours, in glorious sunshine. After the walk, in true Thursday style, the walkers gorged on various cakes. The walk was led by the ever-capable John Brown.  

Thursday Walk Outing

Jack Clancy’s mystery walks were always a favourite with Thursday walkers in particular and the tradition of a day out will be revived with a trip to the Glen of Aherlow on Thursday 26^th June. We will leave Dungarvan at approximately 10am and walk one of three gentle loops in the famous Glen of Aherlow, followed by refreshments in the Aherlow Hotel. You can expect cake to make an appearance at some stage. 

18^th May Knockmealdown Walk report. 

Starting from Mountmelleray in the grey mist and drizzle eleven walkers set off for Knocknafallia, Knocknagnauv and Knockmealdown peaks. We played host to five guest walkers from Kerry hoping to show them the beauty of our local mountains, but unfortunately the mist and rain did not relent. From the flat summit of Knocknafallia at 668m we traversed the coll to Knocknagnauv at 655m and picked up the county boundary wall and followed it to the south west and sheltered behind it for lunch. On reaching the next coll we made a group decision to head for clearer lower ground and headed to Bulls well to follow the uphill flowing stream !!!  We returned to the Abbey via the reservoir and finished with refreshments at the Cats public house. Richard Dykes.

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com

May News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club May Newsletter

A Slightly Debauched Weekend in Leenane.

A horde of Dungarvan hillwalkers descended on the hills of Connemara, or should that be ascended, on the weekend of April 25^th. They stayed as always in the extremely comfortable and homely Leenane Hotel. The weather wobbled somewhat, but luckily the weekend wasn’t a complete washout. 

Early arrivals on Friday 25^th were able to avail of a scenic fjord walk led by Sean and Bernie Rush. Five people went on this relaxing walk. The next day was the big walking day. The C walkers headed for Diamond Hill, where the weather held out until the last leg of the journey. The group dried off with cups of tea at the local tea rooms, but were then soaked again on the way to the cars.

The eight B Walkers headed for the Maumturks, under the expert guidance of Angela, an experienced local walk leader from the local Beanna Beola walking club. A tough six hour walk but with excellent vistas, well worth the effort. Thanks go to Noel for arranging the contact.

Sunday was a free day, and some of the group took to their bikes for a 28km cycle on the Westport Greenway, while others braved Croagh Patrick. We would like to thank Richard Dykes and Peter Mangan for their help in organising the weekend and the local walk leader Angela for her expertise on Saturday.  

Walk Report, Glenpatrick, April 6^th, Leader, Carmel Ryan 

The forecast was very bad for this walk, but luck smiled on leader Carmel Ryan and she led a group of approximately 12 walkers around the woods near Glenpatrick in glorious sunshine. Carmel took the walkers on a loop that encompassed a few challenging hills, and the walkers enjoyed lunch at a bridge, listening to the swooshing sound of the water. Most of the walk was on a woodland track, with some road at the end. The carpark had large stones that were at a convenient height for disrobing and rerobing after the walk.  

Comeragh Crossing Quiz

The annual fundraising quiz in aid of the Comeragh Crossing will take place on Friday May 16^th at 8pm in the soccer club.  The price is €20 for a table of four. We will have a new quiz master on the night, Ronagh Baumann. Best of luck to Ronagh and thanks to her for putting herself forward. 

 

Walk Report, Colligan Upper, March 30^th, Leader, Paul Vart 

One side effect of the massive storms in January and February is that many walk routes have become impossible to navigate, as trees have fallen along the path. This was the case for Paul Vart’s walk in Colligan Upper. Thankfully, Paul found a way around the problem and took the group along the side of the forest, where branches made a satisfying crackling sound as the walkers stepped on them. The walkers then crossed a field and then made their way home by road, in a walk that took just under three hours. Unfortunately, the heavy cloud cover failed to lift, but this didn’t dampen the walkers’ spirits.  

And finally ... Ted Dipple is still looking for stewards for the Darkness into Light walk at 4am on Saturday May 10^th. If you’re interested, contact him on 058 20790.

 

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to
derbhile.graham@gmail.com. 

April News Letter

Hillwalking Newsletter

Darkness Into Light Walk for Pieta House

The annual Darkness Into Light Walk which fundraises for the mental health charity Pieta House, will take place in the early hours of Saturday May 10^th. Again, the organisers are looking for members of Dungarvan Hillwalking Club to be marshals. The route is different this year. It begins at St Augustine’s College and heads for Crotty’s Corner, before looping back to the college via the metal bridge. If you’re interested in doing point duty along the route, contact Ted Dipple on 058 20790.

 

Walk Report: B Walk to Coumshingaun, Sunday 16^th February. Donal O’Mahoney

 

We started walking at approximately 10:40 and went up the left side of Coumshingaun, into a cold, finger numbing wind. Visibility was poor for the first few hours but spirits were high. We reached the top of the Coum at about 12:30 and there we were met with ice and snow. After a quick lunch at Richard Dykes’s special lunching spot, we headed for Crotty’s Lake. Visibility was so poor that we almost missed it. On the way home, we crossed Uisca Solus and Coumshingaun Lake for good measure. We finished the day in sunshine.  

A Splendid St. Patrick’s Weekend. 

The Dungarvan Hillwalkers were in full song for St. Patrick’s Weekend, with a raucous sing-song in Leneghan’s of Newtown after the dogs’ night on Saturday 15th and a rendition of Slievenamon in the biting cold on the big day itself. 14 people went to the dogs’ night and experienced varying fortunes. 24 brave troopers headed to the top of Slievenamon, ably led by Brian Wickham, and rewarded themselves with a ridiculous amount of cake.  

A Tale of Two Walks – C Walk Report by Derbhile Graham 

On Sunday 9^th March, a group of approximately 19 C walkers braved fog to walk to the Bull’s Well near Melleray, via the cross. Leader Michael Hanrahan successfully steered the group home. Two weeks later, in gloriously warm weather, Reenie Palmer led a similar-sized group of walkers along Ballyquin beach in Ardmore, and then along the Ardmore cliffs, where they picnicked in the sun with a friendly seal for company.  

B Walk Schedule: 

The B walk coordinators have confirmed that the first B walk of every month will be on a Saturday from now on, at 9am  starting from the motor tax office car park, opposite Glanbia. All other B walks will take place at 10am on Sunday, as normal.

 

Comeragh Crossing Quiz 16^th May.  More details later.

 

And finally...For those of you heading for Leenane on April 25^th, the carpooling fee will be €20.

 

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com

Descending Sleivenamon

Entertainment at Leneghan's pub after the Dogs night.

March News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club March Newsletter

Dogs Night

The annual Dogs’ Night will take place on Saturday 15^th March at Kilcohan Greyhound Stadium in Waterford City. It’s a bargain at €17 for the entrance fee and a three-course dinner, and if you win on the dogs, the night might pay for itself.. Afterwards, there’ll be a sing song in an as yet, unnamed hostelry.  

Healthy Sum Raised for SEMRA

 

Given the horrific weather and the fact that we were unable to hold our club meeting on February 4^th, to spread the word, a very respectable €205 was raised for SEMRA at the Valentine’s Day Table Quiz in the Soccer Club. Richard Dykes, representing SEMRA, thanked the club for their efforts.  

Eight teams competed for glory and Erich Baumann’s team completed a Valentine’s Day Massacre to grab first place. A few nails where bitten when two more teams slugged it out for second place. Well done to the Smurfs and the Tasmanians, who took second and third place respectively. The club is going to make its own donation and with the club donation and the quiz proceeds, SEMRA will receive €500.

Walk Report from Derbhile Graham, Portlaw Woods, 16^th February, C Walk

A rather violent shower of rain failed to dampen the spirits of the 16 walkers who set out for Portlaw Woods under the leadership of Norman Graham. He set a little obstacle course for the walkers as they clambered over fallen trees. Mercifully there were only a couple of those, but the walkers showed great agility in negotiating them. The walkers took a loop around the woods, culminating in a climb to the cross, where they surveyed the sodden landscape. After that first shower, the weather stayed dry and the sun even made the occasional appearance. The walk took a little over three hours.

1^st April Deadline for Leenane 

There’s a healthy interest building for the Leenane trip, so if you’re interested in going, you need to have booked with Richard Dykes and paid by April 1^st. You can contact him by phone on 086 2411287 and by email on Richard.dykes1@gmail.com. It’s €99 for two nights, €144 for three nights and €189 for four nights, with a €10 single supplement.  

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

February News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club Newsletter

 

B Walk Schedule Change for February

 

The B walkers are conducting a little experiment for February, in order to boost their numbers. Two of their February Walks will take place on Saturdays, February 8^th and 22^nd. They’ll take off at 09 am from the Tax Office Car park opposite Glanbia. The other B walks will take place on Sunday February 2^nd and 16^th at 10 am from the TSB car park as usual. C walks will be unaffected by this schedule change. If the experiment is successful, the Saturday walks may become a regular feature.

 

Quiz for SEMRA 

The annual table quiz in aid of SEMRA will take place on an auspicious date, Friday February 14^th. Some of you may be grateful to escape the annual Valentine’s love-in, though quizmaster Norman Graham does promise some romantic themed questions, It’ll take place in the soccer club at 8pm and the price is €20 for a table of four. Non members are more than welcome.

PS. In further exciting social news, the Dogs’ Night will take place on Saturday March 15^th.

Walk Report from Pat Moloney, Knockmealdowns-19^th January Easy B

A group of ten walkers met at the hairpin bend on The Vee. The morning was cold and overcast but thankfully dry. We began our walk following the Glenmoylan River in a southerly direction through the beautiful glen for approx 2.5km. We gradually gained height until met the county boundary wall halfway between Sugarloaf and Knockmealdown.

Visibility had deteriorated as we made our way to the top of Knockmealdown. About 1km from the top we encountered snow underfoot which was a welcome sight and added to the enjoyment of the walk. We had lunch at the top and soon after we started our descent, retracing our steps for approx 1km.

From here we picked up a track to Knockmoylan then walked North to Knockshane and back down into Glenmoylan, where we crossed the river. Having successfully crossed the river we began climbing again following a track under the Sugarloaf back to the cars.

 

The walk took 4 ½ hours, covering a distance of 12km, with a climb of 700 metres.

Other Bits and Bobs 

A reminder that if you’re interested in going to Leenane on 25^th April, you can contact Richard Dykes. on  086 2411287 richard.dykes1@gmail.com  It’s €99 for two nights, €144 for three nights and €189 for four nights.  

The Lions’ Club sent a thank you note to Dungarvan Hillwalking Club for the €260 they raised at the Mulled Wine Walk.  

A reminder for the tech savvy that Dungarvan Hillwalking Club has a new Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dungarvanhillwalking. There’s a healthy interest already and thanks to all the members and friends who’ve liked it so farm.

 

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

January News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club January Newsletter

€260 Raised for Lions Club

The Lions Club expressed their gratitude to Dungarvan Hillwalking Club when they were presented with €260 at the Mulled Wine and Mince Pie Walk in Ardmore on December 22nd. As members munched their mince pies and slugged mulled wine and tea, they generously dipped into their purses and dropped money into a collection bucket. The proceeds were then handed over to a representative of the Lions Club.

 

Christmas Party a Roaring Success

 

50 members of Dungarvan Hillwalking Club donned their glad rags and rocked the night away at their Christmas party in Causeway Tennis Club. The Chairman and the party organisers would like to thank the following:

The “Ladies Committee” for their sterling work in decorating the room and ensuring it was cleaned afterwards.
Robbie’s Catering for scrumptious grub.
David for his floor filling tunes and Claire Grace for putting us onto him.

 

Walking Weekend in Leenane, 25^th April

 

At this dreary time of year, we look forward to holidays and the first big one for Dungarvan Hillwalking Club will be in Leenane, Co. Galway, on the weekend of 25^th April 2014. The fun will start on Friday 25^th April and you can choose to stay at the Leenane Hotel for two, three or four nights. Packages are as follows:-

 

2 Nights Bed & Breakfast and One evening meal                 €99     Per Person Sharing.

3 Nights Bed & Breakfast and Two evening meals                €144    Per Person Sharing.

4 Nights Bed & Breakfast and Three evening meals             €189    Per Person Sharing.

 

Extra meals cost €15 each. Single supplement €10 per night.

 

Booking through Richard Dykes. 0862 411287. richard.dykes1@gmail.com

More details will follow in the months to come.

 

New Facebook Page for Dungarvan Hillwalking Club

 

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club has entered the 21^st century with a brand new Facebook Page. While Facebook may be a brand new world for many members, it is a good way of spreading the word, particularly to younger people. If you’re on Facebook, or want to spread the word to your tech savvy relationships, they can type www.facebook.com/dungarvanhillwalking, or type Dungarvan Hillwalking Club into the search box at the top of the page.

 

If you’ve got a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

December Newsletter

 Important Dates for Your Diary

 8^th December – the C walk will be the Turkey Trot walk in aid of Youghal Cancer Centre. It leaves from the Marine Bar in Pulla, Dungarvan, at 11am and 12pm.

21^st December – Christmas party night in the Tennis Club, starting at 7.30. Tickets cost €25 each and are available from members of the Committee.

22^nd December – Mulled Wine Walk in Ardmore, leaving the Park Hotel at 2pm.

 Coumshingaun Sunday 17 November – What a Walk!

 Ten walkers turned up for the B walk on Sunday 17^th November , with an even gender balance. We left Kilclooney car park at 10.30 and headed towards Coumshingaun, but swung south at the corner of the wood. After a gentle climb, we meandered south for 2 km before the real ascent began. We followed a stream which took us to the highest point of the Comeraghs at 792m, Fauscoum. We then headed for the top of scenic Coumshingaun for a short lunch break.

 Firing on all cylinders again, we went on to Boola Cairn, then Crotty’s Rock for a short discussion on highwayman William Crotty (1712-’42), Then it was time to head for Kilclooney Wood again, but we had to find the most suitable place to cross the Uisce Solas stream:

 At Coumsingeán Lake, we ran into the 30-person strong group of C walkers. The walk lasted four 40 minutes, with nearly four hours spent walking the 13.5km and the 670m ascent. Leader Noel was very heartened to have such a big group to enjoy perfect walking conditions.

Noel Brennan 

B walk report.  Greenane.  27th October.

Three hardy souls gathered at 09:00 to travel to Kings Yard in the Galtys for what promised to be a day of atrocious weather.  As it turned out it wasn’t as bad as forecast, although very windy we stayed reasonably dry.

The intention was not to go to the highest points of Galtymore/Galtybeg but to go across to Greenane at 802m.  We nearly made it, but time and wind was against us, so we had lunch at the cairn in the col and headed back.

The highlights of the walk included the ruins of old farm houses above the Attychraan river valley, the water falls where three rivers meet in-between Knockeenatoung and Knockduff, a tranquil spot overlooked by Galtymore. We also located the memorial stone for the air crash located just off the locally known Black Road.

Richard Dykes

 Thursday Walk, 21^st November

The Thursday walkers took to the hills north of Mount Stuart on 21^st November, for an enjoyable two-hour walk led by John Browne. As is their wont, they enjoyed a sumptuous tea in the yard of Mount Stuart Church. The walk was cut short due to the dark winter evenings, but was a relaxing ramble through Coillte forests. Information kindly supplied by Elizabeth Twohig.

 
Thanks to all for their walk reports. If you’ve got a walk report or photos, please send it to
derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER PHOTOS

B & C Walkers at Coumshingaun. 21st November

 

 

21st November Thursday Walk

Mount Stewart

 

 

 

November Newsletter

Hillwalking Newsletter

 

Turkish Holiday Adventure by Marie Jennings.

 

Marie Jennings earned herself some fame with her account of the club’s Turkish holiday. Here’s an abridged account of Marie’s tale.

 

Our first week was spent in Cappadocia, an area in central Anatolia, best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, caves dwellings and churches carved into the rock.  It a sight to behold, and almost seemed like an otherworldly experience. We stayed for a week in the town of Gerome, in a wonderful Cave hotel perched atop Aydinili hill. 

 

We visited churches with wonderful painted decoration, the Alhara valley with its hot springs and Pigeon Valley, which earned its name from the hundreds of pigeons that have made their home in the rocks. Flying over the valleys in a hot air balloon was a particular delight for six of the walkers.

 

Our second week was spent in the resort town of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast. We visited Ephesus, an ancient Greek city and former major Roman city. We also visited the House of the Virgin Mary, where the Mary is believed to have waited for her assumption into Heaven. We also enjoyed nightly cuutlra events, including performances by belly dancers and whirling dervishes. This was a very successful holiday, thanks to the extensive research and brilliant organisation of Mary and Tom.

 

Club Goes on Turkey Trot for Charity

 

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club will be lending its support to the 5^th Annual Paddy Joe Curran Memorial Turkey Trot in aid of Youghal Cancer Support Group on Sunday 8^th December. This enjoyable four mile walk in Old Parish will leave the Marine Pub in Pulla, Dungarvan, at 11am on Sunday 8^th December. For the more adventurous, there will be a five-mile run starting at 12pm. When the walk is over, there will be refreshments at the Marine Pub. This walk will act as our C walk on 8^th December. Entry is €7, or you can give a donation.

 

Christmas Party Tickets On Sale

 

Preparations for the club’s Christmas party are now well underway. Causeway Tennis club is the place to be on Saturday 21^st December. The fun will start at 7.30pm and there will be delicious food served by the good people at Robbie’s Catering from 8pm. After that, there will be musical entertainments of various kinds. Tickets are €25 and are on sale from members of the committee. You must book a ticket to be admitted to the Christmas party.

 

Mulled Wine Walk

 

What better way to clear your head after the Christmas party than with the annual Mulled Wine and Mince Pie walk in Ardmore on Sunday 22^nd December. As always, proceeds from the walk will be donated to the Lion’s Club. The walk will start at 2pm in the main carpark and will follow a route along the cliffs. After we’ve walked along the beach by torchlight, we’ll enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and various other spoils from the Great Dungarvan Bakeoff.

 

 

Message from Derbhile Graham Club PRO

Greetings, walkers.

This is your new PRO speaking. I'm writing to let you know that you can reach me for club news on derbhile.graham@gmail.com. If email isn't your thing, you can give me a call on 087 695 9799. The email address is also good for reaching Norman on - he's a very important man so I handle all his correspondence.

I'll be compiling the newsletter, and any news you'd like to publicise on it would be greatly welcome. I'll also be sending reports to the newspapers.

I would particularly appreciate if I could get information from the walk leaders after their walks, especially as I don't get to go out walking much myself. I would love if the leaders could supply me with pictures from the walks. Newspapers and people in general love pictures. So they're pretty essential in helping to spread the word about how much fun the club is.

If you have the time, I would also love if you could give me basic information about the walk you led, including:

1. Info about the route you took.

2. Length of your walk in hours and kilometres or miles.

3. Route you took.

4. How many came.

All I need is the basic info - I'll flower it up. And of course, if I do go on walks, which I hope to again after Christmas, I'll do the reports myself!

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Derbhile Graham

PRO

Membership Form 2013 / 2014

 

APPLICATION FORM 2013 / 2014

 

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http://www.dungarvanhillwalking.org/pdfs/membershipform.pdf

 

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