Mid Tipperary Hillwalkers

The Friday Evening walk season of 2018 has concluded.

Aug 31st we had 23 people out on our last Friday evening walk of 2018. The weather reflected our mood of sadness as we had a misty evening as we completed the circuit of Cooneen Hill Templederry. We entered the glen of the Nenagh river near Longjohnshill and made our way up to Poul an Ass and the sound of the waterfall. We climbed up the meandering country road to the forest track entrance. The views were limited in the mist as we walked along the track and just before we got back to our cars we got a brief view of Lough Derg and the Nenagh town lights. 21 of our group were spoiled with delicious fare in Stapletons Pub in Borrisoleigh.

A big thank you to everyone who walked with us from May 25 to August 31. We had 14 Fridays and visited a different location on 12 evenings. We had in total nearly 350 people out over the 14 Friday walks. We are very lucky to have such beautiful walks and hills on our doorstep. We enjoyed showing our newcomers what Tipperary walking has a lot to offer and to our many regulars who have become friends enjoying the chat and banter as we walked and climbed the hills and valleys. Hope that now the fitness levels have increased that people will continue walking with the club and also come out on the Sunday rambles.
Sunday Sept 2nd 2018
Willie Fahey led the A walk taking 8 walkers on high terraine in the East Knockmealdowns. The day began in wonderful sunshine and high temperature for early September. Later as they ascended the mountain mist prevailed. The fern crop is very dominant this year possibly the best ever seen and this made the walking challenging on paths often taken in the past with relative ease. Also the heather is high and especially beautiful this year. Unfortunately both plants are useless to farmers. Walkers love a challenge! Rain, wind and ferns whet their appetite. All enjoyed the day.
A group of fifteen hillwalkers participated in the first ‘C’ walk of the season. The group which included three new hillwalkers left Cashel and assembled with their leader Eddie Morrissey in the Nire Valley car park where they embarked on the Coumduala Loop. This was the proverbial walk of two halves. It was t-shirts, sun cream and fabulous scenery as the group crossed the river and headed up past the Sgilloges and Coumlara and on to the Gap. In freshening conditions lunch was enjoyed on the hillside near the Gap. As the group headed up towards the viewing point overlooking Coumduala the clouds rolled in and the mist turned to rain as the group dug deep in their gear bags to give the rain gear the first outing of the season. At this stage the views had disappeared, and so had the goats on Carrignagower, as the group made the downhill journey to the cars before returning in high spirits for a review of the day over a ‘coffee’ in Cashel.
This coming Sunday (Sept 9) A and B walks leave from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am. There is also a Sunday Ramble leaving Slievenamon carpark Thurles at 10am. The Sunday Ramble is heading to the Silvermines to complete a loop walk.
Walking is a great way to get fit as well as being a great way to meet new friends . Give it a go as new walkers are welcome to come along, so, for a healthy, sociable and enjoyable activity, feel free to join us in Thurles at 10am or Cashel at 11am.
The full programme of walks is now on our website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie or Facebook. For further information visit the website or Facebook or call Dan Condren at 087 2273082 for any query re walks.
New walkers are always welcome to come along and join us (see note below). Just bring boots, suitable clothes and a packed lunch. A change of clothes and particularly footwear for after the walk is also strongly advised.