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November News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club. November News Letter.

C walk Sunday 9^th November.

Kevin Moore led 23 of us to visit the Comeragh Lakes. On arrival, he decided to alter course, as underfoot conditions were not to his satisfaction, and headed instead to the Sgilloges.

We made our way in orderly fashion towards the lake, receiving a few short breaks, and arrived to beautiful sunshine. During coffee break, Kevin explained the history of the area, including the Seanbhean agus an Píoba (all understood except brit Caitriona)

We headed back and Kevin was worried as daylight was fading. Tom Murphy, sweeping, asked some ladies to ease up on the talk, but to no avail, but amazingly, the talk increased but so did speed of walk. Tom suggested we change the name of the club to The Talking Club but no takers. Needless to say, we arrived back safely, and seriously, a great days exercise was had by all, and good to see a few new members present also. Buíochas to Kevin.
Donal McGovern.

14^th November Night Walk
A brave group of 6 ventured onto the mountain at 18:00 on a dark cold and very wet under foot walk. The idea was to experience walking on mountainous terrain in the dark and to see how different everything looks at night. At the Carraigaline mast we turned off our torches and experienced the eerie calm and blackness, with only the distant lights of the surrounding villages to give us any orientation. A short walk but a great experience, which will be repeated next year.
Richard

SEMRA
Congratulations to all club members who supported and completed the Long Way Round night walk on the 29th. A great night was had by all.

Sunday 30^th November

A dozen set off last Sunday, rucksacks bursting with gear, hot drinks and tucker, for a day that started off at minus 2 degrees. We were in for a pleasant surprise though; it was pleasantly warm with clear blue skies and barely a breeze in it. Some were heard complaining about how the bright sun was impeding their vision…isn’t that a great complaint for late November.We started off not far from Mountmellary and proceeded to the Liam Lynch Memorial where we sat on the low wall in front of a sculpture of cast bronze Irish Wolfhounds. We ate our lunch and as always dining al fresco is wonderful. We then progressed by climbing up to Cruachan West stopping to take in the views. Tom then lead us on to Knockmeal and it was from there we began our trek downwards and back to the cars for five minutes, before the obligatory stop-off at the Cats Bar. What a lovely end to a great day. Thank you Tom.

Clare Grace

“A Walk For All The Seasons” Sgilloge Loughs-Coum Lara Horseshoe Walk.

Oct saw our intrepid “C” walkers back in the Comeraghs to walk the 11Km. Sgilloges/Coum Lara circuit. Our walk started in the beautiful, incomparable Nire Valley, where it is said, “it is easier to walk than not to walk”. A valley that is serenaded night and day by the tall cliffs and many streams that flow into the Nire river. We followed the pathway that leads from Whelan’s farm and out onto the open bogland and the townsland of Carrigeen. This is an area rich in archeological history, with up to 15 sites of interest, with old huts, earthworks, fulacht fiadh and the Carrigeen Standing Stone, considered to be one of the finest examples of its type in Munster. From here we walked the waymarked  pathway into the upper lake of the Sgilloges in glorious sunshine, with the Sean Bean stream, which flows down from the steep cliffs of the sandstone rock of the ridge, forming a perfect backdrop. The heavy rainfall of the previous 3 days, and the northerly winds made it an impressive sight, whipping the water upwards onto the platue above. After a short break we climbed the gentle slopes out over the shoulder to the east of the lake, and contoured into Coum Lara, crossing the fast flowing stream that flows out of the Coum. From there, we crossed over open bogland and heather covered boulders to arrive at The Gap and join up with Boreen an Socraid/The Funeral Path. To the northwest, Knockanaffrin Ridge rises majestically, and away in the distance we had a clear view of Slievenamon, whilst to the south, the steep climb onto Carrigshaneun looked imposing. Throughout the 19th century, and indeed into the early part of the 20th. century, the Boreen an Socraid path provided families who lived on both sides of the valley with safe and easy passage, and in 1930, locals witnessed the last funeral procession to cross the mountain track with the remains being taken from Rathgormack to the Nire. As daylight began to fade, the group headed back the pathway, to arrive back at the Nire Carpark in glorious winter sunset. A pleasing feature of the walk was the number of walkers who crossed the route for the first time, and it was great to see new members out in the mountain in such high numbers, so why not encourage a friend to join the club and experience for themselves the beauty of the Comeraghs.

Rita Moore

October News letter

October 12^th C Walk
Thirteen C walkers, led by Elizabeth Twohig, explored the Anne Valley on Sunday 12 October, in perfect weather, a circuit of c. 8-9 km. Starting at Dunhill Castle, we trekked northwards on the laneway which runs along the shoulder of the valley towards the GAA pitch. Then, with the kind permission of the landowner, we crossed through a sheep farm down to the river valley, where we turned south and walked the delightfully un-reclaimed riverside route back to the bridge below Dunhill village. Here we met the buggy/wheelchair-friendly track way which runs alongside the integrated constructed wetlands, and leads back to the Castle car-park. Since we did this section of the route last year an angling base has been opened, and there are even more useful signs and information boards, including one at Dunhill Castle itself.

Dunhill sign unvieling

October 19^th B Walk

A tidy party of three headed out to the nire valley car park, under an overcast sky. Forecast suggested a few light showers might occur at around 1pm with heavier showers scheduled for 4pm. An initial climb of 340 meters from the car park brought us to the top of the ridge overlooking Coumduala Lough and after a short cliff top walk we descended again down to the Gap. From there we contoured around to the Sgilloges where we stopped for lunch, with those forecasted light showers making their appearance. After lunch we preceded onto the Coumalocha lakes and from there a small climb up to Lough Coumfea, the highest lake in the Comeraghs. Following a second quick break while enjoying the view from the lakeside we headed down the valley towards the stepping stones river crossing and onto the road to return to the car park. A total round trip of 14km and a height gain of 700 meters, we returned to the car park just in time to avoid the heavy showers promised by the forecast.

Events.            Night Hike.      Friday 14^th November.                   18:00 Top of Mauma Road.

                          Christmas Dinner.            €25         Live Music.          20^th December. Tom Daly Catering.

                          Ardmore Christmas Walk.            21^st December.      Supporting Dungarvan Lions Club
SEMRA
Fund Raising Event. 15Km Night walk/Run. Saturday 29th November
More Info at www.semra.ie

Reminder.
All leaders to return sign-in-sheets to Richard Dykes for archiving. If a member decides to leave a walk, they must sign out with initials.        If you want a particular activity, type of walk or have ideas for a club night, let us know.

September 2015 Lake District Holiday.

Tony Fitzgerald is organizing the holiday to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the club. The exact dates to be decided shortly.

 If you wish to submit a walk report or a piece of news you think the club should be aware of, please send it to Marie Jennings. Email address. bishopsnest33129@gmail.com

Membership

Your hillwalking club membership is now due for renewal.

 

Membership Fees.

 

Early Payment discount up to 31/10/2014.    €30.

Normal member from 01/11/2014.                 €40.

Family member (same address).                   €35.

Member of other MI club.                               €15.

 

Forms available on line and membership secretary. 

Mary Murphy

Knockateemore

Abbeyside

058 41770

087 2273825

 

See you on the hill.                                           Happy Walking

MOUNTAIN RESCUE FUND RAISER

The South Eastern Mountain Rescue is holding a fund raising event on 29th November 2014.

A 15Km Night Walk or Run starting in Clonmel.

More Details from  www.semra.ie

News Letter

Hillwalking Newsletter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club Swiss Holiday, September 2^nd-9^th. Report by Clare Grace 

We stayed in the village of Alt St Johann, a compact hamlet nestled in a valley, which was a walker’s paradise. There were many grades of walks organised on five of the six days. Our Canadian friends, Marg and Tony Blake, once again came up trumps and led a most rewarding walk during the week. 

On the Friday the group visited St Gallen, an historic town with Irish connections, about one hour away. We enjoyed a guided tour of the city, including the Stiftsbibliothek Museum which houses the library of the former monastery of St. Gallen. Some of us travelled by ski-lift to the summit of Säntis, which is 2,500m  above sea level and the highest mountain in the Alpstein massif of north-eastern Switzerland.     

The countryside was so tranquil and clean. The Swiss brown cows were friendly, albeit a little noisy with huge clanging bells around their necks!  They had furry ears and were so cute. We succumbed to the obligatory fondue night. The best part of it was when a group of yodellers showed up. The sounds they made were mesmerising. The purity of voice, the harmony and the absolutely pitch perfect notes and half notes were such a joy to listen to. 

The weather from start to finish was exceptionally good. Although the weather cannot be attributed directly to Ronagh and Erich Baumann, our trip leaders, I do have a sneaky suspicion that they just might have organised that too! They were such valuable assets with their extensive local knowledge, their language skills and their excellent organisational ability. Many thanks to them for organising this holiday for us.

Thursday Blackberry Walks 

The Thursday walkers became as excited as six-year olds on their recent walks when they discovered bushes laden with luscious blackberries. On recent walks in Carrigavantry, Dunhill and Crough Wood, they snacked away happily throughout the afternoon, and as always, rounded off their feasts with cake at the end. Other recent Thursday walks included trips to the Vee and Mount Stuart and some walked up Mount Stuart twice! 

B Walk, Sunday September 21^st, Knockmealdowns 

We were lucky to have Veronica and Mary leading this walk. These two fine navigators had planned well and the Gods of fair climes were smiling down, as the weather from start to finish was exceptionally fine and summer-like, particularly for late September. The views of the Vee were spectacular and the surrounding countryside stunning as colours changed and shadows fell.

We started at Bay Lough and made our way to the peak known as 630m, from there we proceeded to the summit of Knockshanahullion, (652 m) where we stopped for lunch. Tom supplied the anti-midge spray which allowed us to sit comfortably and contemplate whilst re-fuelling for the descent. Some of the lads made a spurt as we neared the end of the walk in order to catch the last of the football match on the radio.  

 

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. A reminder too that the club patches are still available from committee members at €5 a patch.

C Walk, September 14th, 2014

C Walk, Carrick to Kilsheelan, Sunday September 14^th. Report by Clare Grace

Report by Clare Grace

The ‘C’ walk on Sunday September 14^th was a real pleasure. A local mini bus transported us from Carrick on Suir to Kilsheelan. On arrival there, our Kilsheelan member brought us for a tour through his late summer garden pointing out interesting plants and imparting green-finger tips. Thank you James!

We then headed towards river bank and began our trek of approximately 12kms. There were about twenty of us in all, some regulars, some not so regular, plus a couple of guests. Ronagh was leading and many of the walkers had recently returned from the club holiday to Switzerland, so recounting stories and reminiscence was the order of the day.

The old barge towpath was in excellent order; not a muddy bit in sight! The weather was perfect for walking and as we ambled along, we met several fishermen along the way. We passed the recently erected monument Elm Ditch Well, a voluntary undertaking by local fishermen as a fitting legacy to the memory of their predecessors now passed on.

This was a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 

NEWS

WE NEED YOUR HELP

 

Please consider being a club officer or committee member for the forthcoming year, the club needs these people for the walking and social events during the year. If interested please contact any committee member.

Thanks.

 

Club badges will be on sale at the AGM.

Only €5

XMAS 2014

Club celebrations, meal and entertainment at the Tennis Club
20th December

AGM

Dear Members

Notice is hereby given of the Dungarvan Hillwalking Club AGM, which will be held on Tuesday 7th October 2014 at the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, at 8pm. All members are cordially invited to attend and new members are most welcome.

Hospice Cheque Presentation pre AGM
The Agenda for the AGM is as follows.

1. Apologies

2. Approval of Minutes of AGM 8th October 2013.

3. Chairperson's Address

4. Secretary's Report

5. Treasurer's Report

6. Membership Secretary's Report

7. Election of Officers

The following officers will be elected at the AGM.

Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary
Membership Secretary
PRO
Children's Officer
Environmental Officer
Walks Coordinators, A, B and C.
Website Coordinator
Comeragh Crossing Committee

8. Holidays 2015 - Lake District

9. October Walks

10. AOB

We hope that you will be able to attend and look forward to seeing you on the night. 

September News letter

Hillwalking Newsletter

 Donation from Comeragh Crossing

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club will donate €810 to West Waterford Hospice following the very Comeragh Crossing on July 5^th. The club pledged to donate €5 from the entry fees of each participant, and 162 people took part in total.

 

Thursday Walk: Carrigavantry Lake, August 28th

 Despite heavy clouds, it turned out to be a perfect day for walking as the John Browne Division of the Thursday walking set ventured to the Eastern half of the county for a walk by the Carrigavantry Reservoir. 13 walkers set off from Fenor carpark and the combination of warm sunshine and a fresh breeze created ideal walking conditions.

 The walk took approximately two and a half hours and the walkers strolled down laneways with bushes that were filled with blackberries. Needless to say, the walkers gorged on the plump black fruit. They stopped to let horses pass and then jumped over puddles created after the horses churned up the ground. Afterwards, the Dungarvan Baking Committee were in full force and the walkers munched tart made with forest fruits and Madeira cake, washed down with tea.

 Tuesday 7^th October at 20:00 Club AGM at Park Hotel

 

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

Comeragh Mountain B Walk, 17 August 2014

Walk Report - Noel Brennan

Noel led a group of seven for a very enjoyable 4hr 45 min walk, on a lovely sunny day only slightly tainted by a couple of squally showers. They left Kilclooney Wood and headed for the Lackaduff Commons, taking a direct route to cross Uisce Solais. Nancy, Rhona, Bridget, Michael, Michael and Noel were joined by the very welcome Mattias from Switzerland, who was delighted to be walking on open terrain without way-marked ways.

Noel reminded the group to check for tics afterwards, especially as they spent some time walking through mature ferns. As they wended their way towards spot-height 494m, they swopped items of ‘useless information’ on place names and the local landscape, much to visitor Mattias’ amusement – not least the link between Uisce Solais, Uisce Beatha and the Irish ‘invention’ of whiskey! Following a series of sheep tracks, they reached the foot of Crotty’s Rock just in time to have the first cold and windy shower of rain. Up they went and proceeded along the ridge, capturing all the nice views of Crotty’s lake, before heading for Boola Cairn and on to the track above Coumsingean to find a sheltered spot for a welcome cup of tea and a chance to rest some weary legs.

After lunch the group headed back along the top, then some steep downhill walking to cross Uisce Solais at ‘The Bush’ between the various falls; they then took a very well defined track back to Coumsingean Lake. After a short break and more butterscotch sweets (all part of the service!) they went along the track to Lady’s Rock and then took their time on the final steep downhill, finishing just after 3 p.m. The consensus was that it was a very enjoyable B walk, tiring but enjoyable and all went home happy to see the hurling game on the television.

Picture shows (L to R) Michael, Bridget, Mattias, Nancy, Noel, Michael and Rhona with backpacks off at lunchtime.

 

August News Letter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club August Newsletter

Highly Successful Comeragh Crossing 

162 people successfully completed the annual Comeragh Crossing on Saturday 5^th July and the event went very smoothly. 32 brave souls completed the Comeragh Challenge. It’s not yet known how much was raised for West Waterford Hospice, but we will have news on that next month. 

The club would like to thank the members of the Comeragh Crossing Committee, who worked hard to ensure that everything worked like clockwork and that all the walkers got a hot meal when they returned from their long trek. The club would also like to thank the catering team, all the helpers at the checkpoints and at the sign in and sign out desks, the car park attendants, the bus drivers who ensured everyone got to the starting point on time, and most of all the soccer club for giving us a base. 

Wading in Glory at the Cunnigar Crossing

Eight days later, on Sunday 13^th July, we held our annual Cunnigar Crossing, which in case there’s any confusion involves water instead of mountains. Richard Dykes’s trusty clicker machine informed us that 234 people turned out for the walk, including a healthy number of children, which was great to see. 

The walkers waded across the Cunnigar sandbar at low tide and then streamed across Baile na nGall beach under the able leadership of John Browne. A photographer from the local papers turned up to take our picture – always nice to get the 15 minutes of fame. They were then treated to refreshments at Tig an Cheoil pub, where there was a collection for the Lions’ Club which raised €901. The club would like to thank Tig an Cheoil, Peter Mangan, John Browne and all the stewards for their hard work, as well as Erich Baumann for designing a poster that helped raise publicity. 

Thursday Walk Day Out

The Thursday walkers chose the only day in June when it rained for their annual day out in the Glen of Aherlow, which took place on June 26th. The walkers did an 11km loop in torrential rain, which obscured the stunning scenery. Nonetheless, they remained in good spirits, and soon dried out in the cosy pub at the Aherlow House Hotel. They enjoyed a delicious meal, which put body and soul back together. More than a dozen walkers made the journey to the North Tipp beauty spot, so the experiment is likely to be repeated next year in better weather. 

SEMRA Flag Day 

South East Mountain Rescue Assocciation will hold a flag day in Dungarvan on Friday 29th August, so if you can help collect, or you’re in town that day, have a look out for the people with the buckets and drop in a few euro if you can. They do sterling work in keeping us all safe on the mountainside.

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.