Reports are put up after walks and events to provide a summary of what happened. Some reports are also published in the Southern Star, which you can access on http://www.unison.ie/southern_star/
(free registration required).

Thur
Nov 11
2004 A.G.M 2004 
  O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty at 8.30pm.
All welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
   
Sun 
Nov 7
2004 Gougane Barra 
  The Clonakilty Walking Group were out in force on the mountains with 27 members turning out for the grade "B" horseshoe walk (a four and a half hour walk) on the mountains around Gougane Barra. The day was overcast but not cold. The underfoot conditions were a little boggy to say the least but that was understandable as the previous week produced plenty rain in abundance. The view from the top as one is descending is magical, with views of the woods and lake below and of course St. Fin Barr's Oratory, and the source of the River Lee, the views are breath taking and awe inspiring. To spend a day in the mountains with good company, a pack lunch (which tastes like a gourmet meal after a few hours of working up an appetite), and a view (that people are now paying millions for in the property market) is truly wonderful. 
   
Sun
Oct 24
2004 Toamies and Shehy Mountains, Killarney
  The Clonakilty Walking Group recently completed another "A" strenuous walk to Killarney...up Toamies and Shehy Mountains. The weather was not that kind on the day so only six hardy walkers turned up ready for the six and a half hour assault on the hills. The group headed up from the National Park by Lough Leane and headed up Shehy Mountain, then over on to Toamies North and South, visibility was poor and the ground underfoot was exceptionally wet and soft. It was by far the wettest day the walking group have encountered in recent times, and all headed for the customary reward afterwards........the "hot toddy" at Kate Kearney's Cottage. The walk was led by Ciarán O'Brien and Traolach O'Donnabhain.
   
Sun
Sept 12
2004 Caherconree Ridge, Blennerville 
  A timetable clash with the big hurling game, coupled with a very poor weather forecast decimated the turnout on Sun 12th.  Only the hardy trio of Bernard Jennings, Ivor O'Conor and Dan McCartht assembled in Blennerville.  The scheduled walk on the spectacular Caherconree Ridge horseshoe, with its unrivalled panoramic views, was not undertaken. Safety being the primary consideration, a lower level walk into Derrymore Glen was chosen, due to heavy rain and gusting winds. Tracing the path of the Derrymore river, splendid in full spate into the upper reaches of the glen under the imposing reaches of Baurtregaum and Caherconree.This provided three hours of challenging walking in the prevailing conditions.  the next scheduled walk in on Sun 26th September on Sheeps Head. 
   
Sun
July 25
2004 Barley Lake
  Glorious sunshine greeted the 20 walkers who accompanied Tommy on the 'almost annual' Tommy Mullins Barley Lake Walk.  The group met at the Eccles Hotel in Glengarriffe and pooled cars to allow for the megre car parking at the lake and were on course before 12 noon. This unusual walk starts at a good height and, peculiarly, heads down to the lake before starting to rise again. In walking circles this is almost unknown.  skirting the lake, the same argument broke out as to the acerage covered by water in the lake, opinions ranged from 15 to 80 acres, this year the majority agreed with the highest bluffer and Tommy's opinion won the day. Rising gradually, the height over Bantry Bay was reached after a brief stop to view the eagles nest, and a discussion of O'Sullivan Bere. Good, dry underfoot conditions, made for a good pace, and after three and a half hours, the car park was in sight again.  A further 45 minutes stroll brought the walkers to the bottom of the hill. A pleasant meal and a drink at The Cottage Bar and a leisurely drive home after enjoying Bantry Bay in all its glory made for a good end to a wonderful day out
   
Sun
Jul 11
2004 The Nire Valley
  On Sun 11th July, the ever energetic Clonakilty Walking Group continued their assault on the mountains of Ireland, with a walk up The Nire Valley near Dungarvan. The group started off from the Ballymacarbery car park about a half an hours drive from Dungarvan. About eighteen people headed off across the hills. For the most part, the day stayed nice and dry with just a few showers, and the ground was dry underfoot. They followed the loop walk up to Cnoc an Piobre, circled a gap to Coumfea and up on to Knockanafrainn Ridge where there were fantastic panoramic views all around when the clouds cleared away. This walk was ably led by Ivor O'Connor and Dan McCarthy and the group headed back, after 7 hours hard walking, to a slap up meal at The Old Thatch in Killeagh. The next walk will be on Sun 25th July, a grade "B" walk to Barley Lake near Glengarriffe, not too strenuous - for the faint hearted ! This walk will be led by Tommy Mullins and John O'Connor or Sean Ahern. The meeting point on Sun morning will be O'Donovan's Hotel Clonakilty at 9.30 am or The Eccles Hotel Glengarriffe at 11.00 am.

Remember! New members always welcome.
 
   
Sun
Jun 27
2004 Cappaglen, Killarney
  The group headed out from Killarney towards Lough Guitane.The day started windy with scattered showers and by the time the group reached Cappaglen many layers of clothing were shed as it became very warm. Ground underfoot was quite boggy which slowed the pace a little but overall it was a very enjoyable walk with twenty people heading out over the hills. Sean Ahern and John O'Connor were the leaders on the day. The entire group headed for Ballyvourney and the Abbey Hotel was the port of call for a hearty meal afterwards.
   
Sun
Apr 18
2004 Coomlaughra Horse Shoe
  The Coomlaughra Horse Shoe in the Magillicuddy Reeks was the destination for the local walking group last Sun  but as the group headed down into Killarney there was an amazing snow storm and blizzard en route as we drove through Balleymakeera, and Ballyvourney. We headed on regardless, and as we reached the foothills of the mountains we could see that there was very heavy snow cover on high ground, and some of the mountains were still shrouded in snow blizzard......yes, we know it's April, but then this is Ireland after all.
As safety would always be a priority with the group, the leaders Traolach O'Donnabhain, Dena O'Donovan and Ivor O'Connor made a decision to change plans and climb a lower peak, with an easier gradient.

Mangerton Mountain was only a stones throw away so we headed up there instead. We were rewarded with a carpet of snow for the majority of the walk and the moments of clear skies and even a little sunshine in between gave us the gift of glorious views, in between moments of blizzard and wind.

What a wonderful day we had. 14 brave souls headed out across the mountain, having a lunch stop of flask tea and sandwiches sitting in a circle in the snow. Not many people believe us that we had so much snow as the sun shone in Clonakilty during our absence, ah but we took plenty photographs to prove we were not altogether dreaming.

A stopover on the way home for a fine dinner in The Mills Inn completed a perfect day out. A good night's sleep and Monday does not seem so bad after all.

Any people wishing to join The Clonakilty Walking Group may do so by contacting Dena O'Donovan at O'Donovan's Hotel (023) 33250 or by viewing the information board.
 
   
Sun
Apr 4
2004 Hungry Hill
  Clonakilty Walking Group Hail, rain or sunshine (or sometimes a lot worse) – nothing will deter those hardy folk from taking their walk on Sun’s. Hungry was the destination on April 4th, with Ivor O’Connor and Margaret Spencer leading 21 people. With everybody eventually all tucked up in full rain gear attire and with good reason, as we set off in a shower of hail and high winds at the Healy Pass. Having walked for a while the wind didn’t ease off, although none of us were complaining as it provided a gentle force in pushing us up the hills.

After lunch the leaders made the wise decision of not going to the top of Hungry Hill, instead, walking under it and joining up with the Beara Way and finishing at Rosmacowen Church at 5pm. So with the cobwebs well shook off after the day  the club are looking forward to a full calendar of walks for those fine, long summer days ahead. Thanks to the Eccles Hotel in Glengarriff for catering for us with lovely tea and scones in the morning and a fine layout of food in the evening. The next walk is on April 18th - Coomlaughra Horse Shoe with Traolach (023 34167) & Dena (023 33250). P&S On a recent social outing at Curraheen Park the club enjoyed a good night at the dogs. On the night also Cupid decided to invite himself along to place a bet or two with everyone winning all round.