Hills alive with tramping feet
THE Ballyhoura hills were alive with the chatter of hundreds of enthusiastic climbers at the weekend when walkers from all over Ireland descended on the countryside to take part in the 15th International Walking Festival.
In all, over 15,000 km were covered by visitors to the festival in a packed programme of walks.
Pat Moriarty, chairman of the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club was delighted with the numbers participating and explained why the festival has grown into one of Ireland's premier walking festivals.
"The walking festival provides lots of opportunities to meet new friends, learn more about the countryside and flora and fauna and is also a great way to introduce the younger people to walking as the festival has family walks designed for children," he said.
The festival provided an opportunity to explore some of the stunning countryside of the Ballyhoura region in the company of expert guides from the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club.
A packed programme of daily walks for all abilities, from the enthusiastic well-equipped walker who relished the challenge of ascending Galtee Mor on Sunday morning, to the gentle ramblers who were out to enjoy pleasant guided walks in the company of knowledgeable guides in the fields of heritage, archaeology, history, flora and fauna.
The weekend's most gruelling walk the 'Ballyhoura Marathon', a challenging 26 mile route over forest trails and farmland had 101 participants up bright and early on Saturday morning.
The lure of early sunshine and a quick return to catch the Munster and Leinster rugby game in Croke Park got everyone off to a flying start. Many were in such a rush they decided it was best to hit the ground running.
Lisvernane was a busy place on Sunday morning with over 200 walkers setting off on the Galtee Mountains and out on Slievenemuck. On Monday the festival moved to the village of Ardpatrick where following walks through Greenwood and the Ballyhoura Mountains, everyone took a well-earned rest at the end of it all in the Greenwood Inn.
This year the festival included a range of new walks including a guided tour with Geoff Hunt, author of Limerick Nature Walks at Griston Bog, a nature walk at Galtee Castle Wood in Kilbehenny, archaeological walks at Lough Gur, a heritage walk at Doneraile, and historical walks in Kilmallock.
A field walk in Labbamologga organised by the community attracted people from far and near who had heard of the wonderful hospitality on offer at TO Park.
All the 2009 special interest walks proved hugely popular and provided great insights into some of the areas finest historical, heritage and archaeological attractions.
Long time partners of the festival the Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, Coillte, The Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club, Ballyhoura Development, Ballyhoura Filte and Sheehy's Centra, Kilfinane all contributed to ensure the continued success of the event.
Mr Moriarty paid tribute to all of the volunteer effort that goes into making the festival happen: "With so many people all coming together to make the event one of the best in Ireland, including local guides, community groups, the Order of Malta and very importantly the local landowners whose assistance and help is invaluable".
For anyone who missed out on the festival but would like to get out and explore some of the Ballyhoura Country side, you are encouraged to join the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club. The club have a full programme of summer walks, for all levels of walking. If you are new to country walking, unsure about where to go, or need an incentive to get your boots on, then the Ballyhoura Bears might be the answer.
If you would like to find out more, the Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club website 'www.ballyhourabears.com' or 'www.ballyouracountry.com' has a complete list of upcoming walks and events.
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Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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