Sunday, April 30th 2006 Galtees (Cush Circuit)
On Sunday April 30th, having enjoyed fresh scones and coffee at The Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown, 14 walkers set out (with Leaders Tadgh and Mary Murphy) for the "Cush Circuit" walk at the Galtee Mountains.
    The Galtees were covered by the cloud but the fourteen walkers set off at a nice quick pace up the Cush (Cois)then on to scale the straight Northern side of Galtee Beg.  A welcome stop for lunch, sandwiches and flasks of hot tea were the order of the day, then up on to Galtee Mór where some wonderful photographs were taken as the cloud cleared every now and then to give us wonderful views of the surrounding Galtee Mountains and countryside. 
    Rain set in on the descent from Galtee Mór which affected visibility, but using the wall as a benchmark a good course was set for the descent from Slieve Cois Na Binne and back to where the cars were parked.  The group stopped off at the Corbett Court for some sustenance for the homeward journey.  New members are always welcome to join us on our walks, which we have every second Sunday. 
    For more information, telephone Dena O'Donovan at 023 33250 or Carmel O'Donovan at 023 34752 and if passing through Clonakilty there is always a list of the next few planned walks on the notice board at O'Donovan's Hotel.  Our web site is  www.clonakiltywalking.com and is just in the process of being updated with the new list for the coming months, and do remember if joining us on the mountains, to come properly dressed, as the weather can change in an instant when walking in mountainous areas.

Sunday, May 14th 2006 Old Kenmare Road
Last Sunday a large group of 26 hillwalkers turned out for the 15km walk along part of the Old Kenmare Road.  The day was overcast but warm.  Meeting at O'Donovan's Hotel, in Clonakilty, the group headed for Molly Darcy's in Killarney where wonderful tea and scones were ready for the group as we all headed off in our cars for the car park at the back of Torc Mountain.  Wet gear was not used but as it was so overcast it was brought along as a precaution.  We headed off at a steady pace and our journey took us along the rugged wild countryside of this route which is in fact the old road between Killarney and Kenmare.   Easy rambling countryside, with soft pleasant scenery, we walk through the natural habitat of the Irish Red Deer (we spotted two on the return journey) the track gets a little more rugged as the group walk along past waterfalls, through blanket bog, and for a about a kilometer along the pathway made of old sleepers to protect the bog and the enviornment. As the group climb upward we encounter the soft green moss and litchen covered oakwoods of Derrycunnihy, reputed to be one of the oldest surviving oakwoods in the country.  A stop here for lunch of well earned sandwiches and flasks of hot tea. From here the route becomes more wild and rugged with views of vast countryside covered in yellow gorse.  Plenty of photo oppertunities here.    The route continued on downhill until we came to a long countryroad which eventually lead us into the heart of JKenmare Town Square where we boarded a bus to take us back to the car park where we began.  A good hearty meal at Molly Darcy's was a fitting end to a wonderful day.   The day was made all the more special as we welcomed back two regular members Michael and Helen who had both been on "sick leave", and were now back walking again.  Good for them !   Anyone out there who wishes to join us on our walks need only 'phone Dena at 023 33250 or check out our website at www.clonakiltywalking.com  which is currently being updated.

Sunday, September 10th 2006 Gearhameen Horse Shoe
On Sunday 10th September thirteen club members were joined by two visitors from France. Meeting at 9.30am at Kate Kearney's before driving onto the Black valley. Walking past Lough Reeback and the beautiful waterfall on the Gearhameen River the group traversed the elevated valley floor before climbing steeply to the southern ridge. Visibility was restricted by thick mist, but there were fleeting glimpses of wild and unsoiled countryside. Reaching the highest point there was poignant pause at the memorial to
Joan O'Leary and John Lucey. This was a sober reminder of the raw that underlies the savage beauty. The tricky ridge was negoitiated in dense mist with smoe deft navigation by leaders Dan McCarthy and Ivor O'Connor. The walk was completed with the scaling of Broughnabinnia before descending to the waterfall. There was the additional bonus of finding an ogham stone before returning to the cares after a satisfying seven and quarter hours of walking. The disappointing weather was somewhat compensated by the unspoilt beauty and solitude of the area and sightings of an abundant hare population and a herd of wild goats. A tough tiring walk but immensely enjoyable and definitely one to be repeated next year.