Welcome to the Galtee Walking Club
Hello and failte to the Galtee Walking Club, Cnocadóiri na Gaibhlte, based in and around Tipperary in Ireland. Our club has been in existence since 2003 and was started initially by a core group of hill walking enthusiasts who were born and raised around the foothills of the Galtee mountains and the Glen of Aherlow in South Tipperary. Since then, it has grown and diversified and currently has a membership of over 150, drawn from all over Munster. We offer a number of different graded walks on a regular weekly basis throughout the year which are available to new members or to those wishing to join us for a one off sample hike. moreWalking poles found
Two walking poles were found on Sunday last, May 19th, on the road between Clydagh Bridge and Rossadrehid. The owner can have them back by contacting Mary on 086 6038597.Galtee Challenge / Crossing, 2013
The annual Galtee Challenge and Crossing takes place on Sunday, June 30th, 2013. The event starts in Cahir and travels west for 31km over the entire Galtee Range. moreGlen of Aherlow is finalist in Best Place to Holiday in Ireland competition
The judges of The Irish Times Best Place to Holiday in Ireland competition have chosen five finalists. The shortlist features three remote areas of natural beauty – the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary; Inishbofin island, Co Galway; and Loop Head peninsula, Co Clare – alongside Derry city and Killarney, Co Kerry.The judges are currently visiting these five locations before announcing the overall winner on May 27th.
See Irish Times article.
The Glen of Aherlow Walking Festival, June 1st to 3rd, 2013
The Glen of Aherlow Walking Festival is a 3 day festival of guided walks over the June Bank Holiday weekend on the Galtees and Slievenamuck Hills. The festival Base is at Lisvarrinane Village.All walks led by experienced members of the Galtee Walking Club, with a choice of A; B & C walks to suit all levels.
Enjoy the delights of the high Galtees or the lakes on the lower slopes. For the less adventurous the national loops on Slievenamuck may be for you.
There will be music & entertainment in Ballyglass House Hotel on Saturday night with a courtesy bus from surrounding Hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks. Accommodation providers are offering weekend packages at very attractive rates.
The Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society offers a safe, memorable and enjoyable 'Walkers Welcome' experience in the Glen of Aherlow to all visitors. more
Club members are invited to volunteer as stewards for all festival walks. (details)
2013 Moonlight Walk – Saturday, June 22nd.
Funds this year are going to Scoil Aonghusa (Special Needs School) in Cashel.Sponsorship cards available from Aherlow House Hotel. Email: reservations@aherlowhouse.ie Tel: 062056153
Walk facilitator: Peig McGrath 087 9557176
10th Anniversary
The Galtee Walking Club celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and a special commemoration event is planned for later in the summer. The Club started from the vision of three people who were members of Aherlow Fáilte, Billy Kingston, Helen Morrissey and Mandy Parslow. Their ideas were put forward at a meeting in O'Heneys in Bansha on January 21st 2003 with an attendance of 65 people. Plans were made with great expectation and excitement which resulted in a committee being formed and the birth of Galtee Walking Club. Our first walk was on February 2nd 2003 from Christ the King Statue, Aherlow. The leader was club chairman, Larry Joy.The first club officers and committee were as follows:
Chairman: Larry Joy, Emly
Secretary: Noel Gubbins, Thomastown
Treasurer: Breda Ryan, Tipperary
P.R.O.: Nora Ó Murchú, Ballyglass
Committee members:
Noel Gubbins, Thomastown,
Matt Ryan, Bansha
Larry Joy, Emly
Billy O Donnell, Emly
Margaret Magner, Bansha
Jerry Morrissey, Bansha
Josephine Tierney, Kilshane
Noel McGrath, Emly
Nora Ó Murchú, Ballyglass
Mary O’Brien, Tipperary Town
Rody Tierney, Kilshane
Mary White, Golden
Breda Ryan, Ballinleenty, Tipperary
Pat Ryan, Ballinleenty, Tipperary
Owen Ryan, Reddans Walk, Tipperary
Mandy Parslow, Glen of Aherlow
Mary Kavanagh, Bansha
Jerry White, Bansha
A copy of the report on the first meeting can be seen here.
Since those early days the club has grown to 160 members and holds three walks every Sunday and evening walks on Wednesdays from April to August. Our members lead and steward at the Winter and Summer Walking Festivals in the Glen of Aherlow and run two major events, the Slievenamuck Marathon and the Galtee Challenge / Crossing.
New members are always welcome.
Thanks to our president, Danny Bailey and Breda Ryan for the above information.
News, May 19th, 2013
The weather held and a good day was had by all three groups who took to the hills last Sunday. The ever popular C group drew 27 members for a glorious outing in the Comeraghs with Liam and Shane Doheny. Meeting in Kilsheelan village, they car pooled into the foothills of Knockanaffrin to make their way along forest tracks to the lovely Lough Mohra. Disturbed only by the feeding activities of fish on insect, the still calm waters of the lake were a meditative experience as the group lunched under Knockanaffrin, taking in the panoramic vista which stretched out to the horizon over Waterford. After a round of the lake, Liam led the way back through ever extending circles of forest path to the pick up point. The afters are still to be reported on, where many took up Marion’s invitation to tea and cake down the road. Thank you Marion and Liam and Shane for all your effort and for a unique outing in the Comeraghs.A change of plan saw Ann O’Donnell lead the B group out from Galtee Castle car park and into the lovely Blackrock Valley. Enjoying relatively balmy weather conditions, the first leg of the journey took them down to the Two Rivers and then along by the old famine wall. Taking the Zig Zag from there, they ascended to point 609 and took a break for lunch. From here they circled around to make their return journey home in high spirits, well pleased with this alternative outing.
Paul Ryan’s A walk was led by our esteemed chairman Tom, who stepped into the breach at the last minute to navigate a novel route of the Horseshoe in the Galtees. Starting from Clydagh, they took the path along by the river to ascend the north face of Galtee Mor. It was clear and warm on top, so a welcome lunch was enjoyed for a change! Then it was across to Galty Beg where they bid farewell to the ‘two seniors’ who decided to head back via the usual route of Cush and Clydagh. The ‘more youthful’ rest continued on to point 786 and then north to Knockastakeen. The final push was onto Cush and finally, with legs beginning to falter, they made it back to Clydagh after 6 hours of true A style endeavour. Well done all and thank you Tom.
Next weeks walks Sun: 26nd May, Joe Brown will meet the A walkers at 10am at Galtee Castle car park for a hike in the Galtees. The B group will meet at 11am at Rock an Thorabh for a round of the Ridge with Eddie McGrath. Wednesday evening walks continue as scheduled and thanks to Eddie for last week's loop on Slievenamuck.
C group approaching Lake Mohra on Liam Doheny's Sunday walk, May 12th, 2013.
