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Walks List Feb. to July.

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Ardara Walks Feb 2024 to July 2024


Feb. 11 - grade A - White Horse Falls, meet at Gorteenameale, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs Tom Daly, Pat Craven 0876233224.

Feb. 25 - grade B - Glenbarrow Capard, meet in Glenbarrow Carpark, 10.30 a.m. Jim O'Connor 0876876038.

Mar. 10 - grade B - Gorragh River Glenkeen, meet Ross Carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs John Scully, 086 2405187.

Mar. 24 - grade A - River Sources, meet at Monicknew, 10.30 a.m. 4.5 hrs. Murt Broughan 0872068978.

Apr. 7 - grade B - Cumber Hill, meet in Glenafelly carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Joe Deering 0868162466.

Apr. 21 - grade B, Mullaghmeen Forest, Castlepollard, meet Mullaghmeen carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Mai O'Reilly 0876482945.

May 5 - grade B - Capard Wood, meet in Capard Carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Paul Kelly 0872545805.

May 19 - grade A - Delour Valley, meet Lacka Bridge, 10.30 a.m. 4.5 hrs. Gerry Hanlon 0868210056.

Jun 2 -grade B - Gorragh Glenlahan, meet Ross Carpark 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. John Scully 086 2405187.

Jun. 16 - grade A, Burren, Mullaghmore, Slieverua, Knockanes, meet Killnaboy Church, 10.30 a.m. Gerry Kerwin 0879919920.

Jun. 30 - grade A - Carrolls Hill, meet in Glenafelly carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Jim O'Connor 0876876038.

Jul. 14 - grade B - Upperchurch, meet Upperchurch, 10.30 a.m. More details later. Richard Jack 0862502573.

Jul. 28 - grade A -Glenamoon Arderin, meet Glendine East Carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4hrs. John Purcell 0873177022.



Text Alerts For Walks

Our old system of notifying members of upcoming walks with a text alert is coming to an end in December 2023. Instead the club has set up a WhatsApp group to notify members and most members are now using this service. If you wish to be added to this group contact us by email info@ardarahillwalking.com and we will add you to the group. If a member is not on WhatsApp, walks will be displayed here on the website and also on the facebook page.


Derrybeg Woodland Walk

Joe and Mary Deering hosted a lovely walk for the club at their home in Derrybeg in October. We were blessed with a beautiful day with the sun shining as Joe led us through different woods and plantations and filled us in on the history, people, trees and every aspect of how the area was shaped over the previous centuries. The local placenames of Derrybeg, Derryclure, Derryad, Derrybranagh and Derryslingue testify to the importance of woodlands in their immediate neighbourhood and Joe explained all about them as he led us from one to the next. At the end of the walk Joe and Mary treated the group to a picnic at their house. Some photos of the day can be viewed in the Gallery.



Enjoying refreshments after a lovely walk.




Killiney Dalkey Walk

The club had a walk with a difference on September 24th. Sixteen members joined Richard Jack for a walk around this beautiful part of south county Dublin and all would agree that it was one of the best walks the club has had in a long time. This was due to the wonderful job done by Richard. His knowledge and passion for his local area shone through and all felt as if they were in a small local community rather than in a large urban area. Many thanks to Richard for all the preparation for the walk and for organising refreshments in the Killiney Castle Hotel before the walk. Thanks also to Jackie and Eddie for providing the bus. Some photos of the day can be viewed in the Gallery.


Richard finishes the walk outside Killiney Castle Hotel.







White Horse Falls

On March 12th the club walk was up the White Horse Falls. After a lot of snow and rain the falls were spectacular and the walkers really enjoyed the view. See photos in gallery.





Happy Birthday Pat

Our joint president, Pat Craven, celebrated his 80th birthday in February with a walk along the Gorragh River in the company of many of his walking colleagues. Pat is a founder member of our club, is still a walk leader and normally walks twice a week in the Slieve Blooms sharing the knowledge he has built up from more than sixty years exploring the mountains. Here's to many more years of the same!


Pat and friends celebrate his 80th birthday. Pat with John and Gloria.


Kris Kringle Walk

The final walk of 2022 was led by Joe and Mary Deering. It was a lovely walk around the Glinsk area behind Kinnitty Castle and as always Joe was a mine of information on the woodlands along the way. Later all adjourned to Kieran's in Kinnitty for the chat and exchange of presents.



Paddy Heaney Remembered

Ardara Club honoured the memory of Paddy Heaney, founder member and past president of our club, in November with the unveiling of a commemorative stone which has been erected in Paddy's native Cadamstown. Pictured below is Paddy's niece Bernadette, Carol Nolan T.D. and club chairman Eddie Spain at the unveiling. A large crowd attended and then proceeded on a walk along the Silver River. Later refreshments were served at Paddy's house in Cadamstown.





Memories



Twenty one years ago these hardy souls completed the Slieve Bloom challenge of a 48 mile walk. How many do you recognise?
Click here for the full list of names.

Burren Walk

Brian Kavanagh led a very enjoyable walk in the Burren on August 21st. Some photos of the day below and in gallery.



A beautiful day in the Burren


20th Anniversary Celebration


Two years later than planned, the club finally got to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sun 10 July. There was a great turnout as John Scully and Eddie Spain led two walks from Glenafelly. Afterwards everyone retired to the Slieve Bloom Bar in Kinnitty where Kieran did an excellent job in providing food and refreshments for all. The weather was perfect and there was a great opportunity for members to sit out and chat and catch up after the couple of years of interrupted gatherings. Click on the link above to our facebook page to see some photos.


Relaxing after the walk.





Paddy Heaney

There was great sadness when the death of Paddy Heaney was announced on April 29th. Paddy was a founder member of our club, lead many walks, allowed the club to use his house as our meeting room and has been president of the club for many years. He was one of the pioneers in getting people into the Slieve Blooms and he gave freely of his local knowledge and expertise when walks were being developed. He was a great ambassador for Cadamstown and the Slieve Blooms and he always had a great welcome for the many callers to his house and gardens alongside the Silver River.
Rest in Peace, Paddy


.

Bench in Derryounce remembering the late Terri Quinn.




Other News


The club A.G.M. was held on 13th November. Membership fees now due for 2024 - €20 or €30 for family membership.


Photos

Members have taken photos while on walks and the results can be seen below. Older photos can be seen in Photo Archive.


Scarlet elf cup/cap in Clonaslee Woods in Feb.


Beautiful day on Conlawn Hill, summer 2019.

Bluebell Walks

Members enjoyed the wonderful display of bluebells last year. See some photos of them in Photo Archive.




October Weekend

The club had a very enjoyable weekend away in Cloghane, Co. Kerry. Joe Deering led two lovely walks in Glenteenassig and Sauce Creek and as can be seen members were treated to some fabulous scenery as they walked. Thanks to Joan Ahern for the photos, more of which can be seen in Photo Archive.


Some of the group in Glenteenassig, Co. Kerry


View of An tSás, Sauce Creek, Co. Kerry.



Mahon Falls

On 30th September Murt Broughan and Ann Marie Brennan led a walk around Mahon Falls. Twenty eight members travelled and they were treated to a wonderful day with some spectacular scenery. Thanks to Joan Ahern for some beautiful photos of the day which can be viewed in Photo Archive.


View from Mahon Falls





The club unveiled a plaque in memory of Phil Higgins. More photos in Photo Archive.


We had company on our Devil's Bit Walk!



Brittas Woods - the snow only adds to a lovely walk!








Walking in Glenregan/ Glendossaun Dec 2017

Click to see photos of previous years' walks in Photo Archive

WhatsApp Alerts

We send out WhatsApp reminders of walks to members. If you are a member and don't get a notification please email info@ardarahillwalking.com with your name and number and we will update our group.







View of Lough Derg taken by Joan Ahern on Moylussa Walk Oct. 2016. (More in Photo Archive)


Click to see some photos of previous years' walks in Photo Archive

Link to beautiful Slieve Bloom scenes

Joining Ardara Hillwalking Club

New members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining check our calendar of walks and just turn up and join on the day. If you are concerned about your level of fitness or the suitability of a walk just ring the listed walk leader and he/she will help you decide. Membership of €20 or €30 family can be paid on the day, or in instalments of €5 per walk. Waterproof walking boots will be necessary on all grade A and B walks



Fog on Forelacka


Ballyvaughan Walks
The June bank holiday weekend saw 24 members heading off to the Burren for two walks led by Joe Deering. The walks matched the brilliant weather - a 20km Black Head Loop and a 10km Lough Avalla Farm Loop walk. Everyone enjoyed the spectacular scenery and the wonderful hospitality extended to our members in Ballyvaughan. Go to Photo Archive to see images from the weekend.


Some of our members at Ballyvaughan Lodge with hosts Gerry and Pauline




Ger Moss - A Tribute

Ger Moss passed away in September 2014. He was one of the founding members of the club and one of the most popular and enthusiastic leaders the club has ever had. Fellow member and leader Pat Culleton wrote a lovely tribute to Ger which can be accessed here. The club also honoured Ger's memory with a walk in September and erecting a plaque in Glenbarrow.







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