A lot of bucket lists were ticked today – many of our members had never set foot on Slievenamon. Just as we were starting our walk, we saw a clutch of newly-fledged coal tits, bundled noisily together in the shelter of a stone wall prior to trying out their wings, while an anxious mammy coal tit flew agitated circles around our heads.  The main ascent track has many points of interest, but these paled into insignificance beside such cuteness.   At the summit, we lunched at “Fionn MacCumhail’s seat” and spent some time taking in the 360⁰ views.

The next phase of the walk was value-for-money and we worked hard over heathery terrain that concealed many a boulder and boghole.  The “long” walkers went as far as the Killusty Holy Year cross.  A track alongside the forest led us all back to the start.  We concluded our day with coffee in in Kilcash.

Our second evening walk of the Summer season got better weather than our first one. Eight walkers came on this lovely walk on a glorious evening in the Gearagh which is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve located at the point where the River Lee descends from the mountains and widens at an alluvial plain, and stretches for roughly five kilometres, bounded by the townlands of Toonsbridge, Illaunmore and Anahala.

The 12 participants enjoyed excellent weather with blue skies and 360⁰ degree crystal-clear visibility. The walk is very well waymarked and combines track, cross country and road. Our lunch stop on Esk ridge provided a grandstand view of Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island while to our backs we could see the meandering track down below that would take us back to the main road. We had a little bit of steep ground to contend with on the descent near the tunnel but everyone coped very well and before long we were on ‘terra firma’ again and on the way back to our cars.  A beautiful day in excellent company!

Five members enjoyed this walk on the peaks above the Glanrastel valley.  It was a beautiful day of sunshine and clear skies, with just enough breeze to keep the midges away. As we gained height, the views opened out around us – Hungry Hill, the Skelligs, the Paps, the Reeks (Carrauntoohil under clouds), the Gap of Dunloe, Sheep’s Head, with the sea wrapping around the peninsula to our north, west, and south. A mystery wall perched near the drop off – what purpose could it serve and who built it?  Then onwards up to Knockowen’s rocky peak for lunch and photos of the panoramic views. After lunch we headed to Cushnaficulla then onto the Caha lakes before dropping down to the Glanrastel river. The water was low and we easily walked across the river to climb north to Droppa, then down towards  Glanrastel Lake.  A few more pictures and then down to the track leading to the ruined houses and lazy beds, across the river again and back to our cars.

The first of our Summer Evening Walks: we had nine on the walk altogether – seven members and two friends.  A number of factors – traffic diversions, chilly weather and high tide conspired to curtail our intended route.  We adapted to the conditions and we enjoyed a walk around the environs of the village.  We partook of refreshments in a local hostelry afterwards.  The bad weather means we have no photos.

There were twelve walkers out.  Our route took us into the Glounreagh Valley, over the footbridge, up to the col (540m) and down into the Blackrock Glen via the zig-zags path.   Lunch was enjoyed at the picturesque ford, before climbing again to the balcony path above the Blackrock river.  Our return took us up again, past an abandoned farmhouse and along the Attychraan trail back to King’s Yard.

We had five walkers on the Hag’s Tooth Ridge walk on Sunday, and it lived up to its billing as a long, tough but rewarding walk. It was a beautiful bright summer’s day with no wind and dry underfoot, perfect for this walk. Cronin’s Yard car parks were all full when we arrived, and I don’t think I have ever seen so many people walking the Reeks. We made good steady progress up the ridge, and had to make frequent stops just to admire the views, which were stunning on the day. We enjoyed lunch at the top of Beenkeragh, and then on to Carrauntoohil, where we joined the ‘crowd’ for a short break. On reaching the path to the Heavenly Gates descent we decided to take that route back, and got back to Cronin’s Yard for coffee and apple tart, a well-deserved treat after our energy burning day.