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. moreWalks Cancelled up to end of April
All club walks due to take place during March and April have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If the situation improves walks could resume in May but this will be reviewed closer to the time.The instruction to everyone now is to stay at home but some physical exercise by individuals is allowed provided you stay within 2km of your home and observe the rules relating to distancing yourself from others.
Message from Mountaineering Ireland.
HSE Guidelines for use of Open Public Spaces
Slievenamuck Marathon and Half Marathon, Cancelled
The Galtee Walking Club regrets to announce that the Slievenamuck Marathon and half Marathon which was due to take place on Palm Sunday, April 5, has now been cancelled due to the Covid-19 coronavirus. It may be re-scheduled for a date later in the year if the situation improves but this is not certain.Everyone who has paid in advance will be refunded through PayPal over the coming days.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused to those who had registered to take part and we hope we will see you on Slievenamuck again in better times.
Photos, Past and Present
Although all walks are cancelled and we must stay off the hills we would still welcome photos from club members for display here. The photos can be of previous club walks or anything else you think may be suitable or of any scene you have photographed close to your home in recent days. Please select the best photo and send it by email to photos@galteewalkingclub.ie or via WhatsApp to 0868756487.
The Views from Lyracappul
A poem by Rody TierneyFrom the little Assaroola stream that joins the River Aherlow
I will climb to Lyracappul and survey all below
It is to the beauty of our precious glen that I will treat my eyes
Then ponder on the Shrough Dolmen where an ancient chieftain lies
Now with my back to the famine wall I gaze out further north
Beneath the gentle Phelims where three great warriors fought
O’Sullivan Beara an Patrick Sarsfield to name the recent two
And before their time the King of Munster - the legend Brian Boru
Peeping from above the Phelims is Keeper Hill and Mathair Sliebh
Where Eamon an Cnoic was hunted and found refuge in a cave
I can just make out the Devil’s Bit to my right in the distant haze
But not the view from Toomevara where I grew up and played
Alone, alone and directly east stands lovely Slievenamon
Where Grainne raced up to the summit and won her sweetheart Fionn
Charles Kickham used your name to title his fine song
And lose, draw or win Tipp men will sing about you Slievenamon
To the south is steep Bengower, the Glounreagh valley and Seefin
The Blackrock river and Knockaterriff above the pigeon rock sweet glen
Looking west on this fine clear day - I can see the Kerry reeks
But nearer still is Temple Hill with that large cairn on its peak
Now as I have left you Lyre na Cappal and your beauty spots galore
I will pause and bless myself at the cross on Galteemore
Then scamper over Galteebeag and down the Geisha steps
And battle up the slope of Cush – it will surely put me to the test
My pleasant trek is over now and I must make my way on home
The hills and valleys I’ll leave behind for another day to roam
To Bianconi’s coach road pub I’ll call and drink a pint or two
Then before I cross over Slievenamuck I might sing a song for you
