Sunday
Hikes May 2005
HIKE PROGRAMME |
|||||
MEET: Burgh Quay
|
DEPART: Sundays 10.00 am
|
COST: Private bus. €10
|
|||
|
Date |
Route
Description |
Distance |
Leader
|
||
|
Apr 17th |
Route: Dwyer McAllister’s Cottage Car park, - Rostyduff, -
Keadeen Mt. – Ballinabarney Gap, - Ballinfoyle, - Ballineddan, - Sliabh
Meain, - Banana Road, - Fentons Pub . |
19km/ 710m |
Gerry Walsh |
||
|
Apr 24th
|
Route: Laragh,
- Brockaghs, - Tonelagee, - Stoney Top, - Barnacullian, - Mullaghcleevaun, -
East Top, - Carrigshouk, - Oasis. |
19m/ 900m |
Brian Madigan |
||
|
May 1st
|
SPECIAL HIKE IN MOURNE MOUNTAINS. SEE INFORMATION
IN BODY OF NEWSLETTER. NOTE EARLIER STARTING TIME of 9.30a.m. |
|
|
||
|
May 8th |
Introductory Hard Hike Route: Road
Junction (GR 993 124) Road/track - Lugnagun - Sorrel Hill - |
18km/ 900m |
Philip
Hayden
|
||
|
May 15th |
Route: Crone
Wood Carpark - Maulin - Tonduffs - Powerscourt Mountain - |
20km/ 700m |
Stephen
James
|
||
|
May 22nd |
The J.B. Malone Memorial Walk Route: Pier
Gates - JB Malone Memorial - White Hill - Djouce - Coffin Stone -Tonduff
South - Maulin - Crone Wood - Knockree Hostel. |
|
Tom
Kenny
|
||
|
May 29th |
Route: Aughavannagh Bridge - Ow Valley - South
Prison - Lugnaquilla - |
18km/ 850m |
Eoin
Moroney
|
||
|
June 3rd – 6th |
Bank
Holiday Weekend trip to Killarney |
|
|
||
|
June 12th |
Introductory
Hard Hike Route: Shay
Elliott Memorial, - Cullentrágh, Mullacor, - Lugduff, - Spink Derrybawn -
Cullentragh, - Shay Elliott Memorial. |
17km/ 800m |
Don
Reilly
|
||
General
Hike Notes
PARTICIPATION Mountaineering
is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should
be aware of and accept these risks. People who take part in our club activities
do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and
involvement.
SUNDAY HIKES
Participants on Sunday Hikes must be a member of An Óige Hillwalkers Club. If
you are not a member of the Club, but are considering joining, we invite you to
participate on our monthly Introductory Hikes.
INTRODUCTORY
HIKES An Introductory Hike is organised once per month for aspirant members.
Participants on these hikes must be a member of An Óige.
CO-ORDINATION
Tickets are given out on Sundays to ensure that participants reserve a bus
place as they arrive.
LEADER The leader has
the right to refuse anyone who is not adequately equipped (e.g., without appropriate boots, rainwear, food, torch, hat,
gloves, etc). The leader may alter the route from that described in the
program. The leader sets the pace of the hike and walkers are expected to obey
the leader’s instructions at all times.
TORCH During
winter months it is essential to bring a (head) torch on all Sunday hikes.
Check your batteries / bulb.
ENVIRONMENT Try to reduce the erosion and widening
of trails, e.g. do not walk on the edge of worn tracks; walk through the centre
of the original track or go several meters into the scruff where the ground is
untrodden, walking parallel to but not on the track.
LITTER Litter
is unsightly and dangerous to animals. Even bio-degradable items like orange
peels and banana skins take years to disappear. Bring all your litter home and
try to include at least one extra item from each day out. Do not bury litter –
animals will dig it up.
WALKING STICKS In the interest of safety and comfort
please keep the pointed end of your walking stick covered, especially when
travelling on the bus.
HIKE
LEADERS If any member is interested in leading a hike, please contact either:
Tom
Kenny Email: tomk2003@yahoo.ie
Philip Roche
Email: philip.roche@boimail.com
May
Hike to Mournes
May 1st Special extended Sunday Hike
DAY TRIP
TO ROSTREVOR AREA - MOURNE MOUNTAINS.
TWO GRADES OF WALK.
9:30 AM DEPARTURE FROM BURGH QUAY
BUS EURO 15.
Please note earlier departure time
For your
comfort, we will be using a larger bus on this day. A meal stop will be made at the Fairways Hotel Dundalk on the
return journey. ETA Dublin 21.00hrs.
Some
sterling might be useful.
Moderate Hike Details
Route:
Restrevor Forest Park (G.R. 185180) – Cloghmore Glen – Ballynagelty – Slieveban
– Slievemeen – Slievemartin – The Rowans – Slieveanowen – Fallow Stream Ford –
Slievemiskan – Slievemeel – Rostrevor Forest to Car Park.
Distance: 13km /Ascent
700m.
Leader: Jim Barry
Hard Hike Details
Route:
Rostrevor Forest Park (G.R. 185180) – Ulster Way Track – Slievemeel – Spot
Height 476m. – Shanlieve – Finlieve Mor – Finlieve Beg – The Rowans –
Slievemartin – Cloghmore Glen Track to Car Park.
Distance: 17km/Ascent
1000m.
Leader: Tom Kenny
JB
Malone Memorial Walk
Sunday May 22nd.
Walks will finish
at Knockree Hostel where refreshments – tea and biscuits- will be served.
August
Trip
Advance
Notice August
Trip
Sligo area
This trip
will be led by Philip Hayden.
The
group will be staying in an independent hostel in Sligo town. Walks will be
based in the Sligo / North Leitrim and South Donegal areas.
Sligo
is a ‘happening place’ particularly during the summer months. Scenery, ceol
agus craic thar barr! Plenty of good eateries too! – (editor’s bias!)
June
Bank Holiday Weekend 2005
Friday 3rd – Monday 6th June
2005
Aghadoe
Y.H., Killarney, Co. Kerry
Moderate/Hard
Walkers Welcome!
Two grades of walk each day:
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Leader:
Tom Kenny
Strictly Bus Trip Only
Walking Itinerary to include:
Carrauntoohil
Mountain and Coomloughra Horseshoe
Mangerton
Horseshoe via Owgarriff River & Stompa Mtn
Torc
Mountain
Social
Events
Less strenuous route variations for moderate walkers.
Ordnance
Survey Maps: 1:50.000 Discovery Series Sheet 78
Booking: EUR
80 NON REFUNDABLE deposit to An Óige Head Office by credit card or cash deposit
(8304555). Booking facilities available from 6th April 2005.
Balance of Money must be
paid by Friday 20th May 2005.
Cost: EUR
150 (includes 3 bednights, 3
Continental Breakfast, 2 Evening Meals & Transport costs)
Bring: Winter
rain wear/change of warm clothing/ sheet bag/towels/toilet gear/ flask/torch/ first aid
kit/camera/binoculars/ valid An Óige membership card.
Departure: Friday
evening from George's Quay (Tara
St.) at 4pm (1600hrs) sharp.
Return: Monday
evening /arriving Dublin City centre at 8pm (2000hrs) approx.
Please note that the
walking programme may be altered or curtailed at the discretion of the leader
to take account of adverse weather conditions and walkers capabilities.
Social
Report
Thanks are due to
the Hillwalker Committee and Jacinta O'Reilly for organising yet another
enjoyable social outing for the club on March 11th. This involved an evening of
throwing large objects at smaller objects and hunting fellow members of the
tribe with weapons, which gives a healthy indication of how far we have evolved
from cavemen.
The venue was
Stillorgan Leisureplex and consisted of bowling and Quasar. The latter, in case
you don't know, involves two teams fighting in a darkened, indoor arena with
laser-guns and trying to shoot the target areas on your opponents body-armour.
Our largely
inexperienced bowlers were slightly nervous at first but soon got into swinging
form. Joe Kavanagh, however, could not be said to suffer from inexperience or
nerves and swept the board with his consistent scores in Lane 7, leaving a
trail of shattered pins in his wake. Gero demolished the opposition in Lane 8,
but it was good craic for all involved.
The gang then
split in two. One group continued the bowling while the more war-like half went
into the battle-zone for Quasar. The results of the second round of bowling
were Carina as Best Female Scorer and Gero as Best Male Scorer. It was
suggested to me by Gero that it would be better to cast the results in this way
rather than divulge that he and Peter had failed Mankind by letting a girl win.
The Quasar crowd
meanwhile divided into two teams: the Green Army and the Red Army (boooo!!!).
The Green General, Lawless Maximus, gave a clearly inspirationally speech to
his troops, as faced with this droning noise they were certainly inspired to
rush out and face death rather than listen any longer. "The Reds are a
threat to our way of life. Remember, you must defend me, um, I mean our base,
to your last laser-shot. There will be medals for everyone who falls in this
noble struggle. Now lets go squash some bugs!"
'Jungle' Joe,
imbued by his success on the bowling lanes, stole away into the shadows behind
enemy lines, where he prepared stake-pits of upturned walking poles and traps
made out of hiking-boot laces and explosive thermos-flasks.
'Landmine' Dave
prepared an extensive surprise for the Reds, laying out a landmine across No
Mans Land. As he leaned against the barricades listening to the crash and howls
of the enemy blundering into his landmines, he took out his cigar and muttered:
"I love the smell of semtex in the evening."
This only
momentarily delayed the hordes of Reds charging the Green lines. They were led
by the evil Red General, Philip Scharzenigger, with his lieutenants James
'Killer' Cooke and Amazon Annick (a.k.a 'Vlaamse
Leeuwim', the Lioness of Flanders). But the most feared of their numbers was Jacinta the Jackal, who, on
the basis on the score-sheets, proved to be their most deadly assassin (its
always the quiet ones...).
As the unstoppable hordes advanced, David 'Mad' McCann
rushed out from the barricades, a laser-gun in each hand, firing into the Red
ranks and screaming "Better dead than Red!!!!!!". He fell bravely and
was scalped by the Red savages.
But just as it
seemed the Reds would overwhelm the enemy base, the Green General gave the
signal and from the spectator galleries above the arena barrels of bowling
balls were released, raining havoc down on the battlefield. As the smoke
cleared, only two figures were left standing amid the wreckage. Philip
Scharzenigger stared at his enemy, Lawless Maximus. In the distance a
pocket-watch played a slow, sad tune. Both knew the moment of decision would
come when the watch stopped playing. Sweat formed on their brows, laser-guns felt
suddenly heavy in their sweaty hands, and bodies tensed as the notes began to
slow and fade...
Zap! Ka-choo! Bang! Bang!
With all the accuracy of Imperial Stormtroopers they fired salvos of laser
shots at each other across the short space between them, until eventually the
Green General crumpled in a blasted heap. Looming over him Philip sternly
uttered "You’re terminated", twirled his gun into its holster and
walked off into the smoking ruins of the arena.
The bowlers and
combatants then retired to the 'Orchard' pub to count scores and recuperate.
However since these events took place, doctors have recognised a new condition
called 'Stillorgan Syndrome'.
Veterans of the event have been known to be out on the hills and suddenly go
into a fit at the sight of a walking pole innocently pointed towards them. The
victims curl into a ball on the ground (maybe due to the bowling experience?)
and roll around saying "You weren't in 'Gan. You don't know what it was
like!". Dr. McSorley has taken a compassionate interest in their
sufferings and has pioneered a treatment for the victims, involving a good hard
slap on the head.
By an anonymous ex-editor
Seisiún
Ceol
Not since the
Christmas party had so many hillwalkers come together in one spot as for the
music session held in the Westmoreland Pub on Friday, April 8th.
From the outlying jungles of Dublin, from Wicklow and Wexford they came bearing
instruments or ears to listen. One brave soul journeyed from the roots on
traditional music in the banner county to nourish the ears of the listeners.
The basement room of the pub filled to capacity with the more talkative
retreating to the upper bar for uninterrupted (and non-interrupting)
conversation.
Well done to
organiser and Fear a’tí Joe Kavanagh, thanks to all the musicians who shared
their talents and voices with the audience.
While they may not have been the most silent of groups, they certainly
were appreciative.
Feedback has been of the ‘ that’s great, can we
have more of this’ variety.
Competition
Announcement
Hikes
Less Trodden!
Tired of
the same old hike routes in Wicklow????
Then do
something about it!
Update: Already
a number of potential hikes have been suggested. The field (and hills!) is/are
still wide open. Keep your entries coming in.
How?
Suggest a route
for a Sunday Hike in Wicklow. Send it
complete with a brief description (start, finish, length, main points along the
route etc.) or Tom Kenny or Philip Roche.
Your entry need
not be a complete route card but only routes that work in practice will be
accepted.
The winner will
be drawn from all acceptable entries.
Entries can be
emailed to Tom or Philip at:
tomkenny2003@yahoo.ie
philip.roche@boimail.com
Social
and Personal
Comhghairdeas! Congratulations
Congratulations
to Jimmy McCullagh and Ruth O’Connell on their recent engagement. We wish them
long years of happiness together
**********************************************************
Fáilte
don Linbh!
Congratulations and best wishes to Fiona Martin and
Liam Byrne on the recent birth of their son Seán William Martin Byrne.
**********************************************************
Congratulations
and best wishes to Denis Kenny on reaching the half-century unscathed – apart
from one broken left arm! Happy Birthday Denis and may the next fifty years be
twice as good as the past.
**********************************************************
Table Quiz
In aid of
Children’s Hospital Crumlin
Where: Gate Bar, Crumlin
When: Friday 22nd April at 9.p.m.
Organised by Mick Heneghan and friends.
All Hillwalkers very welcome!!!
**********************************************************
Contributions to the Hillwalker are always welcome and should be sent to :
Deirdre McMahon
at mcmahond@eircom.net or by snailmail
to:
11, Aspen Road,
Kinsealy Court, Swords, Co. Dublin
**********************************************************
Upcoming
Events:
Friday
May 22nd
Organisers: Steve Buckney and Mark Campion
Detailed
information later. Keep your ears open for further details on Sunday bus or
email shots
June: date t.b.c.
Organiser
: Enid GallagherL
Cost: E22 plus
transport cost. Start saving for your betting
stakes!!!
12 Bens
Challenge
5th
June 2005
It’s that time of the year again – to
start training for one of the toughest mountain challenges in the
Country.
The 2005 12 Bens Challenge will take place on Sunday,
June 5th
This is a tough,
strenuous challenge which requires the following:
·
You are an experienced hill-walker (this challenge is definitely not
for beginners)
·
You’ve participated in walks with a total height gain of at least
5,000ft (1,500m)
·
You’ve participated in/your training has included walks that take at
least 8+ hours
·
You are a competent navigator (or you are with someone who is a
competent navigator – if the weather is bad you’re on your own – the walk
organizers will populate the checkpoints only, they do not provide guides on
the challenge). All participants,
regardless of whether you’re part of a group, should have their own map and
compass.
·
You are properly equipped for a strenuous day’s hiking with a minimum of
the following (see conditions of entry document for more detailed
requirements):
For a registration form
and/or more information, contact either
Michael
Gibbons. Email: walkwest@indigo.ie or
Helen Murray. Email: helen.murray@hp.com
Club
Committee
Club President and Chairperson: Prionnsias
MacAnBheatha
Secretary: Frank Rooney
Treasurer: Jim Barry
Sunday Hikes: Tom Kenny and Philip Roche
Membership Secretary: Anne Russell
Training Officer: Jimmy McCullagh
Editor: Deirdre McMahon
Social Officer: Steven Buckney
In addition, four
club members work behind the scenes as follows:
Distribution: Cyril McFeeney & Pearse Foley
Webmaster: Matt Geraghty
MCI Environmental Officer: Patricia
Goodman