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. moreMountain Skills 1 Course
Mark Britton of Britton Outdoors will hold a two day Mountain Skills 1 training course covering the basics of map reading on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26. The location is the Galtee Mountains. There are 6 places available and the cost is €150. For details on how to register contact Mark on 086 1967141.COVID-19
Club walks have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The club will be guided by Government advice and all Government instructions will be followed.
We are now in Phase 3 of the Roadmap to reopening our society and economy.
Details of Phase 3 can be seen here.
An online meeting of Mountaineering Ireland members on the subject of Covid-19 took place on July 2nd and the following link gives a summary of the topics discussed and the advice to members on the various aspects of taking part in a club walk.
https://www.mountaineering.ie/aboutus/news/2020/?id=289
Photos, Past and Present
Although all official walks are cancelled 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.
Covid - 19
A poem by Rody TierneyIn the year of twenty twenty this enemy swept the land.
More deadly than Adolf Hitler, the Famine or the Black and Tans.
This invisible silent tyrant, by God he was our foe,
On our weak and oldest generation he struck his deadly blow.
He was conceived and born in China, Coronavirus is his name.
He made his way to Europe and invaded Italy and Spain.
The convoy of coffin lorries on the telly made it known
This enemy has no mercy and combat weapons we have none.
We can not hug our neighbour or shake him by the hand.
Social gatherings are forbidden and there is no Sunday Mass.
The restaurants and pubs are closed, there is an air of doom and gloom.
Over seventies are confined indoors and told they must cocoon.
Our government they did us proud, they met this plague head on.
Our medical people are all on board, each and every one.
The minister asked for a little help, he got over sixty thousand volunteers.
Our well trained and dedicated nurses returned from overseas.
We are a strong united people with spirit, faith and hope.
We will get through this together though our backs are on the ropes.
On this blustery and wet Palm Sunday as I sit and write this poem
I remember friends and Marathons past but today I must and will remain at home.
Wash your hands.
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
