Killarney Trip October 2016
Sunday 2nd October dawned bright and clear, 42 members of Kilbroney Ramblers Walking Club set off for Killarney, 24 letting the train take the strain and 18 making the journey by road. The Killarney Towers Hotel right in the centre of town and just a four minute walk from the railway station was a welcome haven and our home for the next three days.
Monday, our first walking day, proved exceptionally wet, with continuous rain and no prospects of a clear forecast. Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland and the planned walk for the B and C walkers had to be abandoned. An alternative route was put into action with an assembly at Galway’s Bridge and a start along Derrycunnihy Church soon turning North East onto the Kerry Way.
Walking the Esknamucky Glen was a bit of a challenge mostly brought on by the weather but with the Eskalougha River thundering with heavy water the path alongside proved a safe retreat. Soon the path gave way to the Old Kenmore Road and a new river, the Owengariff also swollen with the heavy run off from the Mangerton and Torc mountain ranges. Torc Old Bridge was reached and with it the unforgettable sight of Torc Waterfall in all its majestic glory, the wind from Mangerton throwing spray as the water dropped almost 100 metres.
Meanwhile 20 T walkers were delivered by coach to Galway’s Bridge and after a group photograph the walk started towards Lord Brandon’s Cottage 5 kilometres away. The forest with its Oak, Holly and Mountain Ash trees afforded the walking group some shelter from the elements but conditions underfoot were treacherous with great care needed on the slippery rocky path. Crossing the small swollen streams was quite a challenge until the rocky path gave way to the gentler forest path and eventually the forest ended leading to the more exposed shores of the Upper Lake. Here it was heads down for the last 2 Kilometres but not before taking in the splendour of the beautiful Killarney scenery. On reaching Lord Brandon’s Cottage beside the landing site for the tourist boats from Killarney town, Kitty our host had hot soup and boiling coffee available for us, a welcome reward for a difficult walk.
OK, we admit we cheated big time on the next leg of the walk. We took the Jaunting Carts to the Head of the Gap of Dunloe and what a welcome ride it was, even as the heavens continued to let it rain as only it can do in the Killarney autumn. As we rode along the Black Valley we passed the National School with it’s 12 pupils and its solitary teacher, on past the Walkers Hostel above the Gearharieen River thundering below in the valley, and the old church built just for the 15 families who live in the Black Valley and past the wake house where the Jarvey men had called to pay their resects on their way through the rain to pick us up.
On reaching the Gap of Dunloe some of the group continued to Kate Kearney’s Cottage with the pony and traps. Other stalwarts stayed the course and on reaching the Gap dismounted and walked the four miles to Kate’s Cottage. With Bull Mountain part of the Carrauntoohil range towering in the mist and clouds to our left and Purple Mountain on our right it was amazing to see the amount of water tumbling from the cliffs and craigs. Yes the B and C walkers had made the correct decision not to walk Carrauntoohil.
Tuesday’s forecast was no better, we assembled for a hearty breakfast, the talk was about the rain which continued to fall. At 9.30 fourteen T walkers left by coach for Torc Waterfall and enjoyed the sight of the falls roaring with the previous nights rain coming off the mountains. Undeterred the group started the walk around Muckross Lake, gaining some shelter from the trees along the route. The famous Meeting of the Waters was reached and we marvelled at how the boatmen were going to negotiate under the bridge with the high water coming from the Upper Lake where we had walked yesterday. Ignoring the rain we pressed on to Brickeen Bridge where the waters of Muckross Lake and Lough Leane meet, but we did not dally, just a quick glance at the views and on to Muckross House. Here Coffee and soup was most welcome and our coach driver was on hand to return us to the warmth of the hotel.
B and C walkers had postponed their early start for a few hours hoping the forecast would give the promised break in the weather but it never came. The Devil’s Punch Bowl near the summit of Mangerton Mountain was the planned target but at 840 metres a thick cloud over-hung the mountain. A decision was made not to go high but to walk a bit of the way taking the lower loop. Even that proved difficult as the conditions underfoot became more dangerous with paths and footways running with overspill water. The walk was curtailed to the lower slopes and with no respite from the weather the walkers returned to the hotel at 3.30am.
While the walking was dictated by the weather, the group enjoyed the trip to Killarney, with the ambience of the hotel, warm beds, good food and great staff. As is usual it passed all too quickly and as the train pulled out of Killarney at noon on Wednesday Carrauntoohil sat brooding, still with it’s blanket of cloud receding as the weather began to improve. It’s slopes and reeks still unconquered by the Kilbroney Ramblers. Yes Carrauntoohil and Killarney will have to be for another day.
Sunday 2nd October dawned bright and clear, 42 members of Kilbroney Ramblers Walking Club set off for Killarney, 24 letting the train take the strain and 18 making the journey by road. The Killarney Towers Hotel right in the centre of town and just a four minute walk from the railway station was a welcome haven and our home for the next three days.
Monday, our first walking day, proved exceptionally wet, with continuous rain and no prospects of a clear forecast. Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland and the planned walk for the B and C walkers had to be abandoned. An alternative route was put into action with an assembly at Galway’s Bridge and a start along Derrycunnihy Church soon turning North East onto the Kerry Way.
Walking the Esknamucky Glen was a bit of a challenge mostly brought on by the weather but with the Eskalougha River thundering with heavy water the path alongside proved a safe retreat. Soon the path gave way to the Old Kenmore Road and a new river, the Owengariff also swollen with the heavy run off from the Mangerton and Torc mountain ranges. Torc Old Bridge was reached and with it the unforgettable sight of Torc Waterfall in all its majestic glory, the wind from Mangerton throwing spray as the water dropped almost 100 metres.
Meanwhile 20 T walkers were delivered by coach to Galway’s Bridge and after a group photograph the walk started towards Lord Brandon’s Cottage 5 kilometres away. The forest with its Oak, Holly and Mountain Ash trees afforded the walking group some shelter from the elements but conditions underfoot were treacherous with great care needed on the slippery rocky path. Crossing the small swollen streams was quite a challenge until the rocky path gave way to the gentler forest path and eventually the forest ended leading to the more exposed shores of the Upper Lake. Here it was heads down for the last 2 Kilometres but not before taking in the splendour of the beautiful Killarney scenery. On reaching Lord Brandon’s Cottage beside the landing site for the tourist boats from Killarney town, Kitty our host had hot soup and boiling coffee available for us, a welcome reward for a difficult walk.
OK, we admit we cheated big time on the next leg of the walk. We took the Jaunting Carts to the Head of the Gap of Dunloe and what a welcome ride it was, even as the heavens continued to let it rain as only it can do in the Killarney autumn. As we rode along the Black Valley we passed the National School with it’s 12 pupils and its solitary teacher, on past the Walkers Hostel above the Gearharieen River thundering below in the valley, and the old church built just for the 15 families who live in the Black Valley and past the wake house where the Jarvey men had called to pay their resects on their way through the rain to pick us up.
On reaching the Gap of Dunloe some of the group continued to Kate Kearney’s Cottage with the pony and traps. Other stalwarts stayed the course and on reaching the Gap dismounted and walked the four miles to Kate’s Cottage. With Bull Mountain part of the Carrauntoohil range towering in the mist and clouds to our left and Purple Mountain on our right it was amazing to see the amount of water tumbling from the cliffs and craigs. Yes the B and C walkers had made the correct decision not to walk Carrauntoohil.
Tuesday’s forecast was no better, we assembled for a hearty breakfast, the talk was about the rain which continued to fall. At 9.30 fourteen T walkers left by coach for Torc Waterfall and enjoyed the sight of the falls roaring with the previous nights rain coming off the mountains. Undeterred the group started the walk around Muckross Lake, gaining some shelter from the trees along the route. The famous Meeting of the Waters was reached and we marvelled at how the boatmen were going to negotiate under the bridge with the high water coming from the Upper Lake where we had walked yesterday. Ignoring the rain we pressed on to Brickeen Bridge where the waters of Muckross Lake and Lough Leane meet, but we did not dally, just a quick glance at the views and on to Muckross House. Here Coffee and soup was most welcome and our coach driver was on hand to return us to the warmth of the hotel.
B and C walkers had postponed their early start for a few hours hoping the forecast would give the promised break in the weather but it never came. The Devil’s Punch Bowl near the summit of Mangerton Mountain was the planned target but at 840 metres a thick cloud over-hung the mountain. A decision was made not to go high but to walk a bit of the way taking the lower loop. Even that proved difficult as the conditions underfoot became more dangerous with paths and footways running with overspill water. The walk was curtailed to the lower slopes and with no respite from the weather the walkers returned to the hotel at 3.30am.
While the walking was dictated by the weather, the group enjoyed the trip to Killarney, with the ambience of the hotel, warm beds, good food and great staff. As is usual it passed all too quickly and as the train pulled out of Killarney at noon on Wednesday Carrauntoohil sat brooding, still with it’s blanket of cloud receding as the weather began to improve. It’s slopes and reeks still unconquered by the Kilbroney Ramblers. Yes Carrauntoohil and Killarney will have to be for another day.
