Glendalough September 2022
Kilbroney Ramblers Trip to Glendalough Sunday 11th to Wednesday 14th September 2022.
As the members of the Kilbroney Ramblers made the final preparations for their forthcoming Autumn trip they were only too aware that the weather forecast for the coming days was less than ideal, but no one was prepared for the torrential downpours that most encountered on the short journey South to the ideal setting that is Glendalough. Plans to arrive early and enjoy a leisurely walk in the autumn sunshine were hastily cancelled and rescheduled for later that afternoon.
More importantly, concerns grew as to the viability or otherwise of the walking programme planned for the next two days and how the heavy rainfall would negatively impact the conditions underfoot and the safety of members on the hills. Calling on his experience and extensive local knowledge, William the club’s chairman decided the walk planned for day one to the top of Lugnaquilla should be postponed until day two when the weather forecast promised to be more favourable.
And so it was on a rather damp autumnal morning that the C+ and B walking group began their journey up along the Poulanass waterfall before joining a boardwalk that skirted the cliff top and overlooked the upper lake before beginning the descent through the picturesque Glendalough Valley. The walk continued along the miner’s road before beginning the long climb up to Turlough Hill via Camaderry and finishing at the Wicklow Gap.
Meanwhile the C and the T groups had elected to follow the white and blue way marked trails respectively.
On day two it was William’s stated objective that we should encourage as many people as possible to attempt to reach the summit of Lugnaquilla. While the C+ and B groups began their journey from the Drumgoff carpark towards the summit with the intention of returning via the zig zags, the C group undertook exactly the same walk albeit in an anticlockwise direction.
The only difference was that while the C walk ended at Drumgoff. The other group continued to walk back to Glendalough following the miner’s road and The Wicklow Way, in total a walk that lasted more than eight hours and covered a distance of more than twenty-eight kilometres all completed in almost perfect sunshine.
The T walk started and finished at Drumgoff car park, completed a 15 kilometres looped walk to Kelly’s Lough with spectacular views, while taking a well-deserved lunch break at the lough, it was amazing to watch the trout jumping out of the water to catch their lunch with flies on the menu. What an achievement for the T walkers to cover that distance and a steep climb to the lough.
For many people the Kilbroney Ramblers is simply a walking group but for others the social aspect of the membership is equally important. It provides the opportunity to meet up after a long walk and enjoy a chat over a cup of coffee. It may be for this reason that the Kilbroney Ramblers away trips are so popular. They not only provide the opportunity to enjoy new and challenging walks in an area previously unvisited, but they also facilitate a social interaction not possible after the regular weekly walks.
And once again the trip to Glendalough as with past events, succeeded in meeting the expectations of all who made the journey, both on a physical and social level.
Frank O’Hare (Trip Organizer)
For more photos of this trip see Photo section of the website
As the members of the Kilbroney Ramblers made the final preparations for their forthcoming Autumn trip they were only too aware that the weather forecast for the coming days was less than ideal, but no one was prepared for the torrential downpours that most encountered on the short journey South to the ideal setting that is Glendalough. Plans to arrive early and enjoy a leisurely walk in the autumn sunshine were hastily cancelled and rescheduled for later that afternoon.
More importantly, concerns grew as to the viability or otherwise of the walking programme planned for the next two days and how the heavy rainfall would negatively impact the conditions underfoot and the safety of members on the hills. Calling on his experience and extensive local knowledge, William the club’s chairman decided the walk planned for day one to the top of Lugnaquilla should be postponed until day two when the weather forecast promised to be more favourable.
And so it was on a rather damp autumnal morning that the C+ and B walking group began their journey up along the Poulanass waterfall before joining a boardwalk that skirted the cliff top and overlooked the upper lake before beginning the descent through the picturesque Glendalough Valley. The walk continued along the miner’s road before beginning the long climb up to Turlough Hill via Camaderry and finishing at the Wicklow Gap.
Meanwhile the C and the T groups had elected to follow the white and blue way marked trails respectively.
On day two it was William’s stated objective that we should encourage as many people as possible to attempt to reach the summit of Lugnaquilla. While the C+ and B groups began their journey from the Drumgoff carpark towards the summit with the intention of returning via the zig zags, the C group undertook exactly the same walk albeit in an anticlockwise direction.
The only difference was that while the C walk ended at Drumgoff. The other group continued to walk back to Glendalough following the miner’s road and The Wicklow Way, in total a walk that lasted more than eight hours and covered a distance of more than twenty-eight kilometres all completed in almost perfect sunshine.
The T walk started and finished at Drumgoff car park, completed a 15 kilometres looped walk to Kelly’s Lough with spectacular views, while taking a well-deserved lunch break at the lough, it was amazing to watch the trout jumping out of the water to catch their lunch with flies on the menu. What an achievement for the T walkers to cover that distance and a steep climb to the lough.
For many people the Kilbroney Ramblers is simply a walking group but for others the social aspect of the membership is equally important. It provides the opportunity to meet up after a long walk and enjoy a chat over a cup of coffee. It may be for this reason that the Kilbroney Ramblers away trips are so popular. They not only provide the opportunity to enjoy new and challenging walks in an area previously unvisited, but they also facilitate a social interaction not possible after the regular weekly walks.
And once again the trip to Glendalough as with past events, succeeded in meeting the expectations of all who made the journey, both on a physical and social level.
Frank O’Hare (Trip Organizer)
For more photos of this trip see Photo section of the website
Cahir Spring Trip April 3rd -6th 2022
It was mid-March 2020 and members of the Kilbroney Ramblers were looking forward with eager anticipation to their Spring Trip in only a few weeks time. And then Covid 19 struck!! Almost immediately movement restrictions were imposed and not only was the Spring Trip cancelled but the club’s entire walking programme was suspended. Initially it was thought that these measures were of a temporary nature and that the trip would be rescheduled in a few weeks time. Little did anyone realise then that a full two years would pass before this trip would reconvene.
And so on that Sunday morning at the beginning of April this year, as the warm spring sunshine streamed through the car window, dozens of vehicles began their journey towards the small market town of Cahir and the Cahir House hotel in Co. Tipperary. For those of us who had been there on a previous occasion it was almost like a home coming such was the warmth of the welcome extended by both Pauline and Wioleta. For those who hadn’t been there previously they all expressed their approval with every aspect of the hospitality on offer from the accommodation to the meals and above all else, the attentive professionalism of the staff.
So after an excellent meal on that Sunday evening,a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast everyone attended the pre-walk briefing full of enthusiasm for what lay ahead. William the club chairperson had, with characteristic professionalism, travelled down a day early in order that he may recce the selected routes.
On day one all of the group travelled together to the North side of the Galtee Range and made the ascent up to Lake Muskry from where some continued up the steep climb to O Laughlins Castle.
On reaching this point the weather conditions had deteriorated with visibility down to only a few meters and the Artic wind gusting in excess of 60 kph and with frequent sleet and hail showers. With no established pathways,large areas of peat hags and almost zero visibility, the journey along the ridge was indeed a test of the walkers tenacity and the leaders navigational skills.
On day two the group divided in two with the first group going up the black road from the South while the remaining group began their walk from the North side via Slieve Cush and Galtybeg. The objective was for both groups to reach the summit of Galtymore albeit from different starting locations. However, by the time the two groups met up at the saddle it was patiently obvious that any attempt to continue up Galtymore in the prevailing weather conditions would be unwise and so it was agreed to implement a previously prepared exit strategy with all the walkers leaving the hills together via the black road.
That evening after dinner,the hotel had kindly provided their resident musician and what a popular decision that proved to be. From an extensive repertoire of music perfectly suited to his audience, Dominic continually responded to calls for an encore long after his performance was due to end.
As everyone gathered on the front steps of the hotel for the traditional group photograph before departure on that Wednesday morning there was time to reflect on the activities of the previous two days and consider that while the meteorological contribution to the trip may not have been everything we could have wished for, there were indeed many redeeming aspects to our experience, not least the hospitality provided by the Cahir House hotel but more importantly it was an opportunity to build on the camaraderie and friendship that is unique to the Kilbroney Ramblers.
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Christmas Lunch 2021
A very successful Club Christmas Lunch was held in Downshire Arms, Hilltown with 49 members attending. As usual good food and craic was enjoyed by all. See Christmas Party 2021 for a few pics. Keswick Trip Autumn 2021
On Sunday 5th September 2021, 30+ intrepid club members set off on what proved to be a most successful trip to explore the spectacular mountains, lakes and scenery around Keswick in the Lake District. See Lake District Trip for a detailed report of the trip courtesy of Frank O'Hare. See Keswick Trip for some photographs, ===================================================== |
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Correspondence from Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs
For further details please see recent letter from the Ulster Federation Of Rambling Clubs. As a consequence of this update, a committee meeting has been called for Monday 19th April. Details of when the Club will start its walks again will be published as soon as they are available.
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For further details please see recent letter from the Ulster Federation Of Rambling Clubs. As a consequence of this update, a committee meeting has been called for Monday 19th April. Details of when the Club will start its walks again will be published as soon as they are available.
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Tommy Sands Meets Kilbroney Ramblers
An interesting and enjoyable film with Tommy Sands interviewing a number of the Club's ramblers. The film was supported by the European Union's Peace IV Programmes.
See Walking the Talk to view the film.
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An interesting and enjoyable film with Tommy Sands interviewing a number of the Club's ramblers. The film was supported by the European Union's Peace IV Programmes.
See Walking the Talk to view the film.
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Christmas Lunch 2019
A very enjoyable Club Christmas Lunch was held in Downshire Arms, Hilltown. Good food and fun followed a morning's walk in Kilbroney. See Christmas Lunch 2019 for a few pics.
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A very enjoyable Club Christmas Lunch was held in Downshire Arms, Hilltown. Good food and fun followed a morning's walk in Kilbroney. See Christmas Lunch 2019 for a few pics.
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Ballycastle Trip Autumn 2019
On Sunday 29th September 40 members of Kilbroney Ramblers travelled to the Marine hotel Ballycastle by Rooney International Coach Hire. With one day ferry crossing to Rathlin Island. This Autumn trip was funded by Special E.U. Programme Body (SEUPB). This relaxing trip was enjoyed by all. See Ballycastle Photos for some photographs of the trip. ====================================================== |
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It's a long way to Tipperary - Spring 2019
On the 31st March 2019, 40 members of the Club set off for two days of walking to explore the mountains and scenery of County Tipperary.
See Tipperary Photos and this Video for some photographs of the trip.
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On the 31st March 2019, 40 members of the Club set off for two days of walking to explore the mountains and scenery of County Tipperary.
See Tipperary Photos and this Video for some photographs of the trip.
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Christmas Party
A very enjoyable Club Christmas Lunch was held in Downshire Arms, Hilltown. Members enjoyed dinner and a great afternoon's craic after a morning's walk in Kilbroney Forest. See Christmas Party 2018 for a few pics.
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A very enjoyable Club Christmas Lunch was held in Downshire Arms, Hilltown. Members enjoyed dinner and a great afternoon's craic after a morning's walk in Kilbroney Forest. See Christmas Party 2018 for a few pics.
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Conquering Ben Nevis
As the fifth year of the Kilbroney Rambler’s walking group draws to an end the celebrations ended with an autumn trip to Fort William, Scotland. The target was Ben Nevis at 1345 meters the highest mountain in the United Kingdom.
See another eloquent report courtesy of David McCourt, describing the very successful trip, together with photos, at this link Scottish Highlands.
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As the fifth year of the Kilbroney Rambler’s walking group draws to an end the celebrations ended with an autumn trip to Fort William, Scotland. The target was Ben Nevis at 1345 meters the highest mountain in the United Kingdom.
See another eloquent report courtesy of David McCourt, describing the very successful trip, together with photos, at this link Scottish Highlands.
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Westport Spring 2018
On the 22nd April 2018, 30+ adventurous members set off to explore the mountains and scenery of Westport, Co. Mayo.
See Westport trip 2018 for some photographs of the trip.
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On the 22nd April 2018, 30+ adventurous members set off to explore the mountains and scenery of Westport, Co. Mayo.
See Westport trip 2018 for some photographs of the trip.
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Donegal Autumn Trip
On the 17th of September 2017 40+ intrepid members set off for the The Abbey Hotel in Donegal town to enjoy 2 splendid days of walking in the lovely terrain of south Donegal. They were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery in gorgeous weather. See another eloquent report describing the two enjoyable days, together with photos, at this link Donegal in all its Glory.
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On the 17th of September 2017 40+ intrepid members set off for the The Abbey Hotel in Donegal town to enjoy 2 splendid days of walking in the lovely terrain of south Donegal. They were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery in gorgeous weather. See another eloquent report describing the two enjoyable days, together with photos, at this link Donegal in all its Glory.
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