Foggy B WAlk, 4 November

Richard Dykes led a foggy B walk to Iska Sullas and Boola Cairn. Michael Daly captured the weather, the mood and the wonderful scenery, which was just visible enough for him to take great pictures.

November Newsletter

New Committee for Dungarvan Hillwalking Club

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club has a new committee for 2018/19, with some familiar faces and some new ones. Tony Fitzgerald remains as chairperson and environmental officer, David Byrne is still membership officer and Anne Dykes is still children’s officer. Derbhile Graham remains as PRO, but will also be website coordinator. Mary Murphy will take over from Erich Baumann as Treasurer. Peter Mangan and Monica Corcoran will still be B and C walk coordinators respectively. However, we have a new vice-chair, Neil Fitzgerald, and a new secretary, Ronagh Baumann, so we welcome them to the committee.

Charities Presented with Donations at AGM

Each of our three charities, Dungarvan Lions Club, West Waterford Hospice and South-East Mountain Rescue, was presented with a cheque for €600. These donations came from funds raised at the Comeragh Crossing, Cunnigar Crossing, Christmas walk and club barbecue. A representative of West Waterford Hospice was on hand to show us where our money is going, to fund a state-of-the-art hospice building based in the grounds of Waterford University Hospital. Richard Dykes accepted the cheque on behalf of Mountain Rescue and Erich Baumann accepted the donation for the Lions Club.

B Walk Report, Comeraghs, 21 October, by Mihael Daly. Leader, Mary O’Shea.

We had a great B walk today. Despite rain and foggy mist at the start, Mary showed her navigation skills and familiarity with these hills, taking us up "heart attack hill " to Knockmeal and Crohan West, before lunch (and a brief history lesson) at Liam Lynch Monument. The weather had brightened up by then and we contoured round Knocknagnauv and Knocknafalia, returning to the start tired and happy.

C Walk Report. Lough Modhra, 21 October. Led by Ronagh Baumann and Marie Jennings

This walk attracted an epic turnout, with 31 walkers setting out for Lough Modhra, some new members, some seasoned walkers. While not quite as sunny as promised, the weather stayed mostly dry throughout. We wended our way along a track, which brought us to this exquisite lake tucked into the hill. Its beauty put many of the walkers in contemplative mode, and many of them sat alone on rocks while we were having our picnic, staring at the landscape. The walk lasted just under three hours, and our competent leaders kept all of us on track.

Two Events in Aid of SEMRA

As mentioned in the last newsletter, SEMRA will hold its Long Way Round walk on Saturday 24 November. You can check out their website, www.semra.ie/longwayround, for further details. As well as that, there will be a Gala Flower Show on Thursday 28 November for SEMRA. Contact Reenie for further information.

If you have any news you think you’d like the club to hear about, please contact PRO Derbhile Graham, derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

B and C Walks Sunday 21 October

On Sunday, 21 October 2018, the weather was dry enough to tempt out dozens of souls for our B and C walks. Michael Daly was the photographer for the B walk in the Knockmealdowns, led by Mary O'Shea.

Meanwhile, Derbhile Graham was the photographer on the C walk to Lough Modhra, led by the dynamic duo of Marie Jennings and Ronagh Baumann. 

Change in Walk Venue for Sunday 21 October 2018

There has been a change to the advertised venue for our C walk this Sunday 21 October, led by Marie Jennings and Ronagh Baumann. It will be to Lough Modhra instead of in the Nire Valley as originally planned. Have a look at the walksheet, where you'll see the changed venue and the phone numbers for Marie and Ronagh, if you have any questions. The walk still leaves Scanlon's Yard at 1pm as usual.

Topflight Comes Up Trumps - Austrian Holiday Report

This is an article about the club's annual holiday to Austria by Marie Jennings. 

Don’t worry, this article is not about a certain President, just a few words about the club's recent holiday in Austria. Twenty eight members thoroughly enjoyed a variety of walks in the beautifully scenic Austrian Alps. Some did some challenging B style walks lead by our guides Rene and Koki. Others did more gentle rambles lead by Erich whilst all meeting up in the wonderful huts high up in the mountains to enjoy a delicious lunch and beverages


A dumpling festival held in the picturesque village of Maria Alm intrigued us all and following our walk on Tuesday, we sat amongst the locals, enjoying both sweet and savory dumplings- a traditional dish in Austria. We washed them down with local beer and listened to the music played by a local band all dressed up in Lederhosen. 

Mid week was a sos (break) day. Ronagh and Erich organized a bus to take all 28 of us to the beautiful city of Salzburg. A great day.
Heiro, our hotel owners' dog proved to be a great hit with everyone. All he wanted to do was play and he had plenty of dog lovers to assist.
May we say a huge thanks to Ronagh and Erich for looking after us so well from departure to return. To Tony for organizing the holiday and to Ronagh's sister Cathy for entertaining us in the hotel with her wonderful guitar playing, beautiful voice and some great songs. A great time was had by all.

October Newsletter

October Newsletter

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club Christmas Party

Our club Christmas party makes a welcome return for 2018, thanks to the initiative and organisational skills of Linda Humphries. On Saturday 8 December, we’ll be having a meal in Merries, from 7pm onwards. For just €30, you’ll get a delicious three-course meal. If you’d like to come along, you can get your tickets from members of the committee.

Walk Report, C Walk, Red Bank Newtown, 16 September. Leader, John Browne

After a murky day on Saturday, the day dawned bright and clear for John Browne’s walk to the Red Bank, near Modeligo. The sixteen walkers rambled along forest trails in a walk that lasted approximately three hours. The terrain was quite dry following our hot summer, which made for easier walking. Peter Mangan lost his hat, but was reunited with it. Thanks to John Browne for the a very pleasant walk. 

SEMRA Long Way Round Walk

SEMRA is holding its annual Long Way Round walk on Saturday 24 November. It’s a 15km walk and it’ll leave from the Central Technical Institute at the Mall in Clonmel. There’s an early bird price of €30 if you book now. The route typically brings you along forest tracks, and minor roads, and onto open mountain. When you’re finished, you can enjoy a chat and refreshments back at the Central Technical Institute. You can find out more and book your tickets on: www.semra.ie/longwayround.

If you have a walk report or any other news you think the club members should know, please contact club PRO Derbhile Graham, derbhile.graham@gmail.com.

Red Bank C Walk, 16 September

The C walkers enjoyed a three-hour walk in Red Bank, near Modeligo,w ith John Browne. We kept up a steady pace, but we had time for a picnic near the end, and Derbhile Graham seized the opportunity to take a couple of photos.

Thursday Walkers' Day Out in Crosshaven, 13 SEptember 2018

Our Thursday C walkers enjoyed a stunning day out in Crosshaven on 13 September, under the leadership of David Haworth. They refreshed themselves with a delicious meal in Cronin's after the walk. HEre's a selection of pics, supplied by Eibhlin Power. 

Austria Holiday 2018 - Six of the Best

Dungarvan Hillwalking Club organises an international holiday every year and this year it was to Austria, from 1-8 September. As this poster writes, the walkers are homeward bound after what looks to have been a very successful holiday. Valentine Kenneally and Ronagh Baumann kept us all up to date on Facebook, and here's a flavour of the holiday, as seen through their eyes.

Day 1 - Ronagh Baumann

Day 1 - Valentine Kenneally 

A view from Ronagh Baumann 

A day out in Salzburg - Valentine Kenneally 

The Gang - Ronagh Baumann

September Newsletter

September Newsletter

Barbecue Fundraiser Attracts Large Crowd

Approximately 35 people gathered at the home of Colm and Linda Humphreys for the annual club barbecue on 28 July last. The barbecue was our third fundraiser of the month for our three charities, Dungarvan Lions Club, West Waterford Hospice and South-East Mountain Rescue. This reporter has heard very little about what occurred, so is concluding that what goes on tour, stays on tour. But warm thanks definitely go to Colm and Linda for hosting, and for all those who helped them to make it a great night by supplying food, barbecues and garden furniture.

Walk Report: Woodstown Thursday C Walk, 16 August. Leader, Neil Fitzgerald.

Our Thursday walkers ventured east for this Thursday walk, to Woodstown, near Dunmore East. 12 walkers, led by Neil Fitzgerald, enjoyed a two-hour walk along Woodstown Beach and scrambled along rocks to reach Creadon Beach. The scramble was fairly tough, and the walkers kept being reassured that the next beach was around the corner, but this corner proved to be possibly the largest corner in Ireland. Still, they arrived at Creadon Beach in one piece and refreshed themselves with a picnic. Spirits were high, despite a few spits of rain. They then made their way along leafy laneways, back to the Saratoga Pub, where eight of the walkers enjoyed an excellent meal.

Club AGM Takes Place on 2 October

A reminder that the Dungarvan Hillwalking Club AGM takes place on Tuesday 2 October at 8pm in the Park Hotel. If any member wishes to submit a proposal to the AGM, they must do so no later in writing to the committee no later than 18 September. The committee is looking for new club officers to join the committee, so if you’re interested, you can contact our current chairperson, Tony Fitzgerald.

If you have a walk report or any other news you think the club members should know, please contact club PRO Derbhile Graham, derbhile.graham@gmail.com.