ACTIVITY BREAKS BEAUTIFUL SOUTH Don Jolly looks for things to do in the Republic of Ireland’s inspiring ❖

ITHIN SOUTHERN stretch of the imagination, busy – you’re Take your own bikes if you can, as the Mane attraction: Ireland’s more likely to be held up by cows heading only place where you could hire at the time horse riding is W hides paradise in miniature. It for the milking parlour than traffic. These of writing was Springhouse Bicycle Hire popular in the glen goes by the name of Glen of Aherlow and, roads are linked by nine others, which can at Kilshane, between and though once an important pass between be mixed and matched to make a really Tipperary (€20 per day, €80 per week, Limerick and Tipperary, few people seem pleasurable circular cycle route. plus €50 deposit). However, the Glen of to know of it today. But it’s just made for Sights in the glen include the ruined Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park, the those who love to dodge the masses and Moore Abbey, a 13th-century priory Club’s Affiliated Site at Newtown, hopes escape to peaceful places where nothing founded by Franciscans on the banks of to hire out cycles next year. detracts from the natural beauty. the Aherlow river near Galbally; Clonbeg It’s worth noting that, although there The glen, 11 miles long and separating Church, near Newtown, originally are several pubs along the glen such as the ridge of Slievenamuck from the Galtee founded by St Sedna (St Sedna’s Well, Newtown’s Coach Road Inn, the Foot Mountains, a small group of summits said to have curative powers, lies behind near Rossadrehid and Moroney’s Bar at forming Ireland’s highest inland mountain the church); and the Christ the King Lisvarrinane, most are only open in the range, runs from Bansha in the east to statue, standing at a hairpin bend on the evenings midweek, lunchtime opening Galbally in the west. For most of its length, road from Newtown to Tipperary, looking being confined to weekends. it is barely 11/2 miles wide. Two parallel across to the Galtees with hand held high, The only place guaranteeing midweek roads pass through the glen, neither, by any ‘blessing the glen and all who pass by’. lunch is the Aherlow House Hotel, a

68 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2011 The Caravan Club Magazine 69 ACTIVITY BREAKS TIPPERARY

DID YOU KNOW? is the 14th highest mountain in Ireland (the highest is Corrán Tuathail)

Cycling in beautiful former hunting lodge on the road winding two will do. Sheet 74 shows all the Galtee surroundings near up the Slievenamuck ridge from the caravan Mountains and the glen’s southern side; Lisvarrinane park. The hotel has light lunch options if you Sheet 66 shows all of Slievenamuck and wish to continue cycling afterwards in the glen’s northern side. comfort and, since it is so close to the site, More useful perhaps, though, are the you can always return in the evening for an eight free walker’s ‘loop’ maps available at excellent-value bar meal or slightly more various places in the glen, including the expensive fare in the restaurant. Club site. On a bigger scale than the Walkers will find plenty to please them. Discovery maps, they are printed on cards The Ballyhoura Way, a 56-mile waymarked featuring directions on the reverse. Each trail running from John’s Bridge in north details a woodland loop walk ranging in Lough Curra: worth the climb Cork to Limerick Junction, near Tipperary, length from 11/4-61/4 miles, starting either takes in most of the glen, passing Moore from Lisvarrinane or Christ the King. Abbey and the Aherlow House Hotel Other free maps cover more strenuous for the Curra and Muskry walks if you’re before entering the Glen of Aherlow walks up to Lough Curra and Lake Muskry, reasonably fit, four or more if you’re slower Nature Park. Here it passes through two of five corrie lakes nestled in the wild paced. Be prepared for rain – the delightful woodland (information panels nether regions of Galtymore (the highest mountains’ moods are constantly changing. describe the area’s flora and fauna) as it of the Galtees at 919m), Galtybeg and If you’re unsure about going off the crosses the Slievenamuck ridge. Greenane. Don’t be fooled by the gentle beaten track, you could always use a local Ordnance Survey Ireland’s 1:50,000 climb through the Norway spruce, larch guide’s expertise. Mike Moroney tailors Discovery maps (around €10 each) cover and Scots pine of the Drumleagh Forest. walks to suit time, desired degree of the area, but unfortunately the glen falls Beyond, the going gets much tougher. difficulty and pace, and is bookable in awkwardly, straddling three maps, though Allow around three hours there and back advance, either through the Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society or directly (see panel). Or you could visit the area INFORMATION in early June for the Glen of Aherlow SITES 948, see aherlow.com or email in River Aherlow for brown trout Walking Festival and join several guided Full details of Glen of Aherlow [email protected] and perch (no permit required) walks. The dates for 2012 are 1-4 June. n Caravan & Camping Park can be Hillcrest Equestrian Centre – and in for salmon The glen is also excellent if you like call 00353 623 7915 or email (permit required, available from found on p282 of the Sites Directory exploring on horseback. The Hillcrest & Handbook 2011/12. To book, [email protected] Tourist Information n Equestrian Centre, near Galbally, offers call 00353 62 56555 or see Other activity options – fishing Office – call 00353 527 441 453) trekking and hacking trips for all riders caravanclub.co.uk/searchandbook. Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping Park from novices to advanced, ranging from an CONTACTS hour to a six-hour (including lunch) day n Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society – ride. Founded in 1975 by Roger and local tourist office. Call 00353 Annette O’Donnell, the centre is today run 625 6331 or see aherlow.com by their son, Rodney, though both parents n Springhouse Bicycle Hire, still take an active interest. Rides take in a Kilshane – call 00353 623 1329 or see springhouse.eu.com variety of scenery combining mountains, n Aherlow Walks with Michael rivers, lakes, farmland and forests. Prices Moroney – call 00353 879 267 start at €22 per hour for an adult and €17 per hour for a child. n

70 The Caravan Club Magazine