The warm, balmy start to September provided excellent conditions for the first walks of the month: a B+ walk across the Knockmealdown mountains from Bay Lough to Mount Melleray, led by James Bourke, and a C walk in the Glen of Aherlow, led by Eddie McGrath. The B+ walkers enjoyed glorious sunshine while taking on the peaks of Sugarloaf, Knockmealdown and Knocknagauv (and a few other peaks by some of the group). The walk terminated at historical Mount Melleray where the group enjoyed some well deserved refreshments at the café on the grounds.

On the second Sunday of September a B walk incorporated the peaks surrounding Lake Muskry, while the C walkers headed to the opposite side of the Galtees for a walk around Combaun Woods. James Cunningham led the B walk on a day that encompassed all sorts of weathers from a hot humid start, through rain, thunder, fog and a cloud inversion. However, the weather didn’t deter the group who hiked across the peaks of Greenane, Greenane West and Knockastakeen, covering about 13 km and 800 m of accent.

Four more walks were held in September – two C walks led by Joan Kavanagh and Eddie McGrath in Bansha Woods and the Glen of Aherlow respectively. Catherine Horan led a B walk in the scenic southern Galtees along the Blackrock Valley and John Lonergan led an A walk that encompassed the Coomasaharn Horseshoe near Glenbeigh in Co. Kerry on what was a very wet last Sunday of September. Nevertheless, the group of three still covered 7 peaks in the Glenbeigh range.

We’ve lots more walks of all levels in store this Autumn – keep an eye on our webpage for all the details!

By Emily Gleeson, 2022/2023 PRO Galtee Walking Club