Ardara Hillwalking

Walks List Feb to July.

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Walks Feb - July


Feb 5th - grade B - Gorragh River, meet Clonaslee Community Centre, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs John Scully, Pat Craven 086 2405187.

Feb 12th - grade A - River Sources, meet at The Cut, 10.30 a.m. 4.5 hrs. Murt Broughan 0872068978.

Feb 26th - grade A - Dossaun - Clear lake - Arderin, meet at Wolftrap entrance, 10.30 a.m. 5 hrs. Paul Kelly 0872545805.

Mar 12th - grade A - White Horse Falls, meet at Gorteenameale, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs Tom Daly, Pat Craven 0876233224.

Mar 26th - grade B - Cumber Hill, meet in Glenafelly carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Eddie Spain 0879240652.

Apr 2nd - grade B - Baunreagh, meet in Monicknew, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Joe Deering 0868162466.

(Apr 16th) - change of date - now April 23rd - grade B - Carrolls Hill, meet in Glenafelly carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Jim O'Connor 0876876038.

Apr 30th - grade B - Ailwee Walk, Co. Clare, meet in Ailwee Cave carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Gerry Kirwan 0879919920.

May 14th - grade B - Dysart Woods, meet in Dysart Woods carpark off N 80, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs Louise Conroy 0871303126.

May 28th - grade B - Capard Wood, meet in Capard Carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Paul Kelly 0872545805.

Jun 11th - grade B - Boora Wildflower walk, meet at Boora carpark near birdhide 10.30 am, 4 hrs. John Scully, Pat Craven 086 2405187.

Jun 11th - grade A - Purple Mountain, Co. Kerry, meet at Kate Kearney Cottage, 10.30 am. 5 hrs. Murt Broughan 0872068978.

Jun 11th - grade B - Stickeen Mountain Co. Kerry, meet at Kate Kearney Cottage, 10.30 am, 3 hrs. Eddie Spain 0879240652.

Jun 18th - grade B - Devils Bit, meet at Templemore Arms, 10.30 am. 3.5 hrs. Jim O'Connor 0876876038.

Jul 2nd - grade A - Crumlin River Eco Walk, meet in Glenafelly carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. John Scully, Pat Craven 086 2405187.

Jul 16th - grade B - Barna, Baunreaghcong, source of the Barrow, meet in The Cut carpark, 10.30 a.m. 4 - 5 hrs. Paul Kelly 0872545805.

Jul 30th - grade B - Giant's Grave, meet in Cadamstown, 10.30 a.m. 4 hrs. Tom Daly 0876233224.


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

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Bench in Derryounce remembering the late Terri Quinn.

Other News

The club A.G.M. was held on 9th November. Membership fees now due for 2023 - €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

Text Alerts

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

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.