Our last walk of Summer was held this evening, with Roger Seaward leading his first walk with the club. Had the evening been clear, the group could have enjoyed fine views of the rare blue supermoon! Nevertheless, the group of 8 completed an 11 km loop from Ballydavid Woods, returning in darkness just before the rain set in. Tonight’s weather was in contrast to last Wednesday, when the group got great views over the Galtee Vee Valley on their climb up Sugarloaf in the Knockmealdowns led by James Bourke on a balmy evening. Starting from the Vee, the group headed up by Grubb’s grave, a route which offers a great panoramic view. The theme of sunsets was also present in Thos O’Neill’s walk in the Eastern Galtees to the peak known as the Bane, on August 16th, and on James Cunningham’s walk to Lake Muskry on the 9th. Our first walk of the month also incorporated the Eastern Galtees with Michelle O’Mahony leading a B group to the Bane from Scaragh Woods, while James Bourke’s C group took a trip around the forest tracks in the same area.

In the middle of the month 15 members of the Club took part in the 10th Fei Sheehy Challenge, which involved crossing the Comeragh, Galtee and Knockmealdown ranges. Points are awarded for each leg of the challenge completed by a member and as a result, the Galtee Club retained the Fei Sheehy Challenge Cup for a third consecutive year – well done to all involved in this significant achievement. Congratulations also to Josie O’Brien, a member of the Galtee, Peaks and Na Sléibte Clubs, who picked up a special award for having completed most legs of the Fei Sheehy over its 10 year history.

Our 2023/2024 schedule will commence at the weekend, with 33 walks of varying levels on offer between now and Christmas. Take a look at https://galteewalkingclub.ie/schedule/ to whet your appetite and we hope to see you on the hills soon. Most of the walks are in our local ranges but there will be a few in Kerry and the West.

By Emily Gleeson, PRO Galtee Walking Club for the 2022/2023 walks season