This week's MeghannMix with Meghann Scully
MY favourite pastime is hiking. I love it more than sea swimming. If you told me I could only live by the sea or by mountains, it would be mountains every time. I love the air, the colours, the scenery and the challenge.
I’ve been hiking for a few years and it still excites me every time I get the boots on and breathe in the evergreen air. I do it with friends but I have solo hiked, only on routes I am very familiar with during busy hours so I am never alone.
If you haven’t hiked yet, give it a go. Invest in hiking boots, waterproof clothing and always leave a change of dry clothes along with a towel in your car. Here are some hiking locations:
Millennium Cross: This is an easier option and a nice one for beginners. Nestled along Lough Derg, 6km from Ballina, the track is less than 3km through some open bog with some slightly steep areas. Take in views of the lake and take a rest at the large cross at the peak.
12 O’Clock Hills: Located in County Clare, this family-friendly hike is 15 kilometres from Limerick City. It’s a mix of terrain and tracks from a well signposted road leading to forestry with a number of benches to sit and relax. There are some much steeper slopes but the colours and biodiversity are worthwhile. There is also a lovely fairy garden which is always a nice treat for children.
Moylussa: My number one mountain. It’s 532 metres high and its County Clare’s highest peak. It’s 20 kilometres from Limerick City and is close to Kilalloe. It begins with some very steep trails but meanders around the mountain with some spectacular views across Lough Derg. The climb to the peak is tough but the view makes it all worthwhile. There’s a stone at the very top where you can take a break and see across Co.Clare, Tipperary and Limerick. This hike is dog friendly.
Galtymore: Standing at 917.9, this is one of Ireland’s highest peaks. It's a more advanced climb and going with a guide or someone who is familiar with it is advised. It’s not as well signposted and takes you through farmland, with many sheep, and steep climbs. It’s quite exposed at the top and if it is a windy day, it can be challenging. Once on the peak, you can sit down and take a break before descending. This hike is not dog friendly.
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LAST week I paid a visit to Eric McNamara’s racing yard in Rathkeale. Large gates greeted me and I drove down the tree-lined driveway to the stables where horses were being prepared to head onto the gallops.
Eric has around 30 to 40 horses in training and has a team including two sons, who are jockeys, and neighbours who ride out each day on the thoroughbreds as well as his daughter Kate.
During my visit I chatted to jockey Emmet, son of Eric, who shared his insight into the horses in the yard.
“Every horse has a different personality. Some of them are difficult rides, some of them easy rides, some of them are kind, some of them are grumpy. And I suppose you get the same with people. But we have a good team here. Mam and dad and my brothers and sisters are involved and we have a great team of staff here,” Emmet said.
This is a hugely successful yard with horses such as Real Steel, Alpesh Amin, Holiday in Kerry and Mad for the Craic to name but a few.
Mark McDonagh rode Alpesh Amin on the student race day after Eric’s son Conor took a fall earlier that day and he managed to cross the finish line in first place in front of some of his classmates.
“It was good craic, I am studying in UL myself so it was nice to be in there and get a winner on that day, it’s important enough, they say it’s not a big day in the racing calendar but for the students' calendar it’s definitely a highlight.
“I love my horse racing, I love going racing so I didn’t feel like I was missing out,” he added.