St. Declan’s Way Gathering Walk 2013
Cashel to Ardmore, July 24th – July 28th Information and timetable for walkers
Route You can download the full St. Declan’s Way route to your mobile phone here - http://bit.ly/15Jt55O. ViewRanger software is free to download but you will have to pay for Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) maps if you wish to use these with your device. We advise that at least one walker in any group should have the route on their phone.
Day 1: Wednesday July 24th Cashel to Cahir
Distance: 21km
Terrain type: All on road
Suggested footwear: Trail shoes or good quality runners
Lunch: Walkers should bring their own packed lunch for the day. The organisers will provide water refills along the route.
Pick-up point: Car park at rear of Cahir House Hotel – take the Ardfinnan Road (R670) from the town square and turn right after 100 metres
Travel to pick-up point from previous overnight point (for those staying in Cashel): Cashel to Cahir is 18km driving distance via the M8 motorway. Estimated journey time is approx. 20 minutes
Timetable
108.55 – 09.15 – Walkers assemble and register in Cahir (car park at rear of Cahir House Hotel)
09.15 – Bus departs for Cashel
09.45 – Bus arrives at Rock of Cashel
10.00 – talk by Joanne Hughes on sites of historical & heritage interest along the route
10.15 – walkers commence their walk through Cashel town, led by St. Declan (Anthony Murphy) in his chariot (P.J. Quinlan’s horse drawn carriage)
10.30 - departure ceremony at Sallyport sculpture on The Green with Mayor of Cashel, Cllr. Joe Moloney, and Town Councillors
12.30 – 13.00 – lunch and rest break at Ballygerald Church, east of New Inn
1 1 If your arrival is delayed in the morning, please phone Kevin O’ Donnell (086) 3541700 or Conor Ryan (087)
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13.00 – depart Ballygerald
15.30 – 16.30 - Walkers arrive in Cahir
16.30 – 17.30 – Complimentary refreshments served in Cahir Community Centre
20.30 – 22.30 - Ballroom dancing class at Cahir Community Centre for those with the energy
Day 2: Thursday July 25th Cahir to Ardfinnan
Distance: 11km
Terrain type: Track and Road
Suggested footwear: Trail shoes or good quality runners
Lunch: As this is the shortest day and the walk will conclude between 14.00 and 15.00, a light snack may be sufficient.
Pick-up point: The Pure Drop pub, Ardfinnan – located at the roundabout on the Clonmel Road (R665) heading east out of Ardfinnan village
Travel to pick-up point from previous overnight point: Cahir to Ardfinnan is 9km drive via the R670. Estimated journey time is approx. 20 minutes
Timetable
09.00 – 09.30 – Walkers assemble and register at The Pure Drop car park, Ardfinnan
09.30 – bus departs for Cahir
09.50 – Bus arrives in Cahir at car park beside tourist office
10.00 – Historical talk by Liam Roche adjacent to Cahir Castle
10.15 – Tour of Cahir Castle provided free courtesy of OPW
11.15 – Walk departs Cahir
13.30 - 14.00 – Walkers arrive in Ardfinnan
14.00 – 15.00 – Complimentary refreshments served in The Pure Drop
Day 3: Friday, July 26th Ardfinnan to Lismore
Distance: 23km
Terrain type: Open mountain. This is the only walk with a significant climb as walkers will be crossing the Knockmealdown Mountains at Bottleneck Pass.
Suggested footwear: Walking boots with gaiters, walking poles optional
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch for the day. The organisers will provide water refills.
Pick-up point: Public Car Park in Lismore, this car park is on the N72 through the town and
adjacent to the gates of Lismore Castle. It is across the road from the car park
of Lismore House Hotel. 2
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Travel to pick-up point from previous overnight point: Ardfinnan to Lismore is a 28km drive via the R665 and R668 roads (via The Vee). Estimated journey time is approx. 50 minutes. Please note that this day requires an earlier start and make appropriate arrangements regarding breakfast etc.
Timetable
08.45 – 09.00 – Walkers assemble and register in Lismore (Public car park at Castle entrance)
09.00 – Bus departs Lismore
09.50 – Bus arrives in Ardfinnan
10.00 – Talk by Mark Rylands on local history and heritage associated with St. Declan
10.15 – Walk departs Ardfinnan
11.30 - 11.45 – Begin ascent of Na Staighrí at Kildanoge
13.00 – 13.30 – Arrive at summit of ascent at Bearna Cloch an Buideal (Bottleneck Pass)
14.00 – 14.30 – Arrival at Reenabarna
14.30 – 15.15 – Lunch break and refreshments hosted by Knockmealdown Vee Waterford Forum
15.15 – depart Reenabarna
16.45 – 17.30 – Walkers arrive in Lismore
17.30 – Tour of Lismore Heritage Centre and refreshments courtesy of Heritage Centre staff & Knockmealdown Vee Waterford Forum
20.00 – Evening entertainment in Lismore House Hotel hosted by Knockmealdown Vee Forum
Day 4: Saturday, July 27th Lismore to Aglish
Distance: 19km
Terrain type: Track and Road
Suggested footwear: Walking boots, Trail shoes or good quality runners
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch for the day. The organisers will provide water refills.
Pick-up point: Car park adjacent to the Church in Aglish village. Having left the R671, take the first right on entering Aglish village. Church is 100m on right hand side.
Travel to pick-up point from previous overnight point: Lismore to Aglish is 19km by road via the N72 through Cappoquin and then south via the R671. Estimated journey time is approx. 25 minutes.
Timetable
09.00 – 09.25 – Walkers assemble and register in Aglish
09.25 – Bus departs for Lismore
09.50 – Bus arrives in Lismore (Millennium Park)
10.00 – Talk by Peter O Connor on sites of historical and heritage interest in the Lismore area 3
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10.15 – Walk departs Lismore
12.30 – Lunch break and rest stop at Dromana Bridge and Gate
13.30 – Depart Dromana
16.00 – 16.30 – Arrival in Aglish
16.30 – 17.30 – Refreshments served at Cotter’s Pub
Day 5: Sunday, July 28th Aglish to Ardmore
Distance: 20km
Terrain type: Track and Road
Suggested footwear: Walking boots, Trail shoes or good quality runners
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch for the day. The organisers will provide water refills.
Pick-up point: Car park of Round Tower Hotel. As you enter Ardmore village from the west on the R673, the hotel is on your right hand side.
Travel to pick-up point from previous overnight point: Lismore to Ardmore is 39km via the N72, R671, N25 and R673. Estimated travel time by car is approx. 1 hour. Please note that this day requires an earlier start and make appropriate arrangements regarding breakfast etc.
Timetable:
08.55 – 09.15 – Walkers assemble and register in Ardmore (Round Tower Hotel car park)
09.15 – Bus departs for Aglish
10.00 – Bus arrives in Aglish
10.15 – Walk departs Aglish
12.30 – Lunch break/rest stop at River Lickey crossing
13.30 – depart River Lickey
16.00 – 16.30 – walk arrives in Ardmore
16.30 – Welcome and talk by Dick Lincoln at Round Tower Hotel
16.45 – 17.30 – Complimentary refreshments served in Round Tower Hotel
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