On Sunday 18th May
2014, nineteen people from the Kilbroney Ramblers arrived in the Abbey Hotel in
Donegal town to begin, what was to be, a very enjoyable 3 day stay with walks
on two days. The hotel is bright,
cheerful and comfortable, and the food is very good there. We were all ready to
relax and have a good time.
After a refreshing drink in the bar, three of us decided to go for a walk, leaving some others to watch the Down – Tyrone match on TV. We went strolling along the Bank Walk of the river Eske to see the local flora and fauna. Surprisingly, primroses were still in bloom alongside bluebells on the sheltered river bank. On our return, the match was building up to the excitement of . . . a draw!
Maps were produced after dinner in the hotel and the leaders, Pat, Peter, Frank, Kevin and Leslie planned the next day's routes for both C level and B level groups. Cora's husband, Leslie, got a surprise to learn that on the following day he was to be the sole leader of the C group. This task Leslie was to carry out admirably and he became a hero for the Cs!
So on Monday morning, we drove to Harvey's Point to the car-park beside the famous Famine Pot. After a group photograph, the walks began with an even division of the two groups. The Bs drove to another spot, and there set off for the misty heights of the Blue Stack mountains.
The C walk was a loop walk going over forest paths alongside the Blue Stacks. The walk is known as the Burns Mountain and Banagher Hill circuit, length 10 miles, time 5 hours. Leslie directed his group up to a lunch spot beside a lovely stream with a sheep pen nearby. When the farmer arrived to collect some sheep, he may have been mildly surprised to meet our group of nine seated near his flock. While the friendly farmer chatted to everyone, the sun shone brightly and out came Hannah's sun-hat and sunglasses!
Our C trek continued to wind up through hills beside impressive mountains until we arrived at a spot that, on the left, overlooked a far-off field filled with bluebells, while Lough Eske curved wide and long below us. The last section of the walk was the road, two to three miles of road - and there was the Famine Pot again. Leslie had looked after everyone very well all along the route.
The plan for Tuesday, the second walking day, was that both groups should stay together for the first half of the walk that would involve climbing up and going around the spectacular cliffs of Slieve League. Here the scenery is outstanding, amazing, never to be forgotten! The sea was smooth for there was no wind. Joan said she had never seen the water so calm before. Only gently breaking waves were to be seen along the bottom of Slieve League.
A group photograph was taken, some ice-cream eaten, and we climbed up many steps to a green area when rain appeared to be not far away. Taking Pat's advice, on went our waterproofs and we continued along a rocky path. Then the rain came down, so the C group decided to retrace their steps and go back down, while the B group returned by the Pilgrim's Path. This was a good decision for the mist was beginning to close in. Our C walk ended in rain, the mist now behind us. Among the six strong walkers of the B group who descended by the Pilgrim's Path was Deirdre, a superb hill walker!
Noreen and Hannah had to leave on Tuesday at 6pm after they had dined early. Both had completed two days' hill walking and they, like the rest of us, were happy all had gone well for the Kilbroney Ramblers' first hill walking trip away.
With dinner over on Tuesday evening, most of the group adjourned to the Central Hotel next door where there was a concert of traditional music and Irish dancing. The music was lively and varied, and a good way to end our last night. Wednesday morning came. After breakfast we left the Abbey Hotel to go our separate ways, some to explore further on the way home, and others to see and visit more around Donegal town.
After a refreshing drink in the bar, three of us decided to go for a walk, leaving some others to watch the Down – Tyrone match on TV. We went strolling along the Bank Walk of the river Eske to see the local flora and fauna. Surprisingly, primroses were still in bloom alongside bluebells on the sheltered river bank. On our return, the match was building up to the excitement of . . . a draw!
Maps were produced after dinner in the hotel and the leaders, Pat, Peter, Frank, Kevin and Leslie planned the next day's routes for both C level and B level groups. Cora's husband, Leslie, got a surprise to learn that on the following day he was to be the sole leader of the C group. This task Leslie was to carry out admirably and he became a hero for the Cs!
So on Monday morning, we drove to Harvey's Point to the car-park beside the famous Famine Pot. After a group photograph, the walks began with an even division of the two groups. The Bs drove to another spot, and there set off for the misty heights of the Blue Stack mountains.
The C walk was a loop walk going over forest paths alongside the Blue Stacks. The walk is known as the Burns Mountain and Banagher Hill circuit, length 10 miles, time 5 hours. Leslie directed his group up to a lunch spot beside a lovely stream with a sheep pen nearby. When the farmer arrived to collect some sheep, he may have been mildly surprised to meet our group of nine seated near his flock. While the friendly farmer chatted to everyone, the sun shone brightly and out came Hannah's sun-hat and sunglasses!
Our C trek continued to wind up through hills beside impressive mountains until we arrived at a spot that, on the left, overlooked a far-off field filled with bluebells, while Lough Eske curved wide and long below us. The last section of the walk was the road, two to three miles of road - and there was the Famine Pot again. Leslie had looked after everyone very well all along the route.
The plan for Tuesday, the second walking day, was that both groups should stay together for the first half of the walk that would involve climbing up and going around the spectacular cliffs of Slieve League. Here the scenery is outstanding, amazing, never to be forgotten! The sea was smooth for there was no wind. Joan said she had never seen the water so calm before. Only gently breaking waves were to be seen along the bottom of Slieve League.
A group photograph was taken, some ice-cream eaten, and we climbed up many steps to a green area when rain appeared to be not far away. Taking Pat's advice, on went our waterproofs and we continued along a rocky path. Then the rain came down, so the C group decided to retrace their steps and go back down, while the B group returned by the Pilgrim's Path. This was a good decision for the mist was beginning to close in. Our C walk ended in rain, the mist now behind us. Among the six strong walkers of the B group who descended by the Pilgrim's Path was Deirdre, a superb hill walker!
Noreen and Hannah had to leave on Tuesday at 6pm after they had dined early. Both had completed two days' hill walking and they, like the rest of us, were happy all had gone well for the Kilbroney Ramblers' first hill walking trip away.
With dinner over on Tuesday evening, most of the group adjourned to the Central Hotel next door where there was a concert of traditional music and Irish dancing. The music was lively and varied, and a good way to end our last night. Wednesday morning came. After breakfast we left the Abbey Hotel to go our separate ways, some to explore further on the way home, and others to see and visit more around Donegal town.
