Climb Ireland

13/10/2024

Another Day Another Mountain.

With Carrauntouhill standing at 1039 mts and being Ireland's highest mountain, it's quite often on the bucket list of most hikers/climbers in Ireland.
Most members of The Roscrea Trail Blazers have scaled this iconic mountain and returned with great memories, aching limbs and the bragging rights for making the effort. As with every year we try and put aside a weekend towards the end of the year where we bring a small group who have never climbed Carrauntouhill and want to tick that box, and yesterday was that day.
It was a very early start from Roscrea when we picked up our group of intrepid hikers from Mulrooneys Gala Roscrea at 5am. Spirits were high as the chat on the journey was mainly about the early start and the day ahead. Stopping off at the Gala supermarket in Faranfore for some fuel for the climb ahead and 40 minutes later we were at Cronins Yard which would be our base for the day. Cronins yard sits at the bottom of The Hag's Glen and has been a starting point for anyone thinking of hiking or climbing the Reeks, you will get a well earned bowl of delicious home made soup or some legendary Apple Tart and cream if you so wish.
It was 8 am when the troops had assembled and with the safety briefing out of the way, at 8.15 we were on our way. Weather forecast for the day was for light showers around midday, clearing to sunny spells in the afternoon.
With the early start we were only one of a few groups heading up the Hag's Glen and with the low early morning mist hugging the mountains above, everyone was in high spirits.
Our plan for the day was to climb the Devil's Ladder, turn right for the summit, back down to the top of The Ladder, continue across to find the exit for The Zig Zag's and descend to the Valley Floor and return out The Hag's Glen to Cronin's Yard.
Not long into The Devil's Ladder the first of many showers started to fall but this did little to dampen the spirits of the group and with great care we were soon out of The Ladder and after a well earned break we turned right and started the slightly easier hike to the summit.
With the showers coming and going it wasn't long before we caught sight of the summit cross and whatever doubts were with the group soon diminished with our goal in sight. It was bitterly cold on top and as we huddled into the small stone shelter i was pleased that everyone had taken the advice and brought the correct clothing and footwear for the trip.
Next up after the bellies were stocked with the necessary fuel was the mandatory photographic evidence of their summit success. Lots of smiles and laughter filled the air and then it was time to head back down the mountain where by now it had gotten very busy with lots of groups and individuals heading to the top.
Once at the top of The Devil's Ladder there was a short 20 minutes climb to the point where we would turn left and take up our final decent to the valley floor. By now the rain had stopped and the more we descended the more of the mountain began to reveal it's self. The group could now get a better view of their epic day as the cloud had lifted off the summit and we could finally see the Cross that we had earlier stood beneath for our photos.
Once at the valley floor it was a right turn and the weary walk back to Cronin's yard where a well earned bowl of soup awaited.
It would be unfair to mention people's names and their ages but what i will say is that there were a few in the group who were touching 70 years of age, yes 70 years of age. So for those of you that think that you are past it, please think again.
I couldn't be more proud of this group, their good humour, positive attitude and willingness to keep going was truly inspirational. They should be very proud themselves as i'm fairly sure they would have had major doubts about their ability before starting, so well done everyone.

Joining us on the day were, Eileen Cahalan, Alice Burke, Carmel Leonard and her son Peter, Luke Ryan, Fiona Ryan, Andy and Aoife Gleeson, Natasha Daly and TJ, Marie Brady, Mary Murphy.

16/09/2024

Another day, another mountain.

Last weekend the 15th we travelled to Achill Island for our annual club weekend away. Staying at The Valley House Hostel we arrived late on Friday night where once checked in we enjoyed a late night drink in the attached bar. A fine breakfast on saturday morning and were were off on the short 20 minute journey to the start of The Granuaile Loop loop at Pattens Bar.
The weather forecast was for rain spreading in before lunchtime hence the early start and with 8.5 Km to walk it was hoped we would be back before the worst of the rain.
Being a low level walk and with a stiff breeze keeping us on our toes we were soon back at the start. It had been a damp morning with a low level view across Achill Sound and Grace O' Malley's Castle. It was back to the Hostel for a change of clothes before heading out again to a local music recital where the group learned to play The Bodhran and came away with a whole new raft of skills.
Back at the Hostel later that evening we sat down to a fine evening meal followed up by some well earned drinks in the Hostel Bar.
Another early start on Sunday morning and after an early breakfast it was a two hour drive to our next walk on the island of Inishbofin. We caught the ferry at 11.30 from Cleggan Pier and 40 minutes later we were starting our 9km looped walk around the Island. The weather couldn't be more different from the previous days hiking with clear blue skies and azure-coloured seas.
We finished up our walk with an afternoon meal at The Beach Bar Restaurant before taking the ferry back to the mainland and onwards to Roscrea.
A mighty weekend away with another positive group.
Joining us for the weekend were Sandra Coady, Gemma Collins, Martin Ryan, Luke Ryan, Martina Moran, Martina Horan, Catherine Larkin, Liz Ryan, Deirdre Mcgrath, Jerry McOlive, John Doherty, Geraldine Fox, Colette Sheppard, Ann and Andy Gleeson,

11/08/2024

Galty Mor from King's Yard.

16.2 km, 5:41'31, 21'05 min/km, 2241 kcal, 101 bpm

19/05/2024

Another Day Another Mountain.

Stupid O'Clock start from Roscrea at 5am and we were on the road again for what promised to be a tough day on the mountains of Ireland. The Met Eireann forecast was for cloud with broken sunshine but alas it was not to be with a low cloud enveloping the tops of the hills.
Collecting our registration cards at the village of Glynn and boarding the bus to the start near Bunclody and at 7.35am we were off. Looking up towards the summit of Mount Leinster it was unlikely we would get the views we were lucky to get last year.
First it was up onto Black Rock Mountain (604 Mts) with a long slow climb through open fields, quickly leading into low heather and soon becoming very wet and muddy underfoot.
Once into the cloud, the weather didn't show any signs of getting any clearer and with Mount Leinster (793 Mts) somewhere in the distance, it was head down and follow the compass bearing. We soon found the summit mast, got our card stamped, had some food and took the necessary photos as proof we were there. Taking another bearing, our next stop was down to Scollagh Gap where we would have our card stamped again by the wonderful stewards from The Wayfarers hiking club who looked after everyone so well on the day.
Next up was The Blackstairs (733 Mts) , card stamped, past The 1941 German Bomber Crash Site and down to Cooliagh Gap where the most welcome cup of tea awaited this weary group. We took our time here, and with spirits still high we headed up the last long, weary climb onto White Mountain ( 508 Mts) where our card would be stamped for the last time before we were back to Byrne's Pub in Glynn. By now everyone was feeling the pain of the distance and difficult conditions underfoot, but they knew that the finish line was in sight. A long slow descent down from White Mountain and we were back at the Pub, enjoying a well earned meal provided by the organisers.
With lots of talk about our next challenge, it was time to leave Glynn and head home with more great memories of our magical day on the hills with this exceptional group of friends.

Joining us on the day were Sandra Coady Colette Sheppard, Andy Gleeson, Gerry Kelly, Luke Ryan, Mary Murphy, Geraldine Fox, Eileen Cahalan, John Doherty, and Ann Cullinane.