Hillwalkers Club

August 2019 – October 2019

http://www.hillwalkersclub.com/

C é i l í M ó r 2 8 F e b David at Lough Ouler r In this edition Hike programme: Augustu 2019 – October 2019 1 The pick-up points a 2 Club news and events 8 Cliff Walk and Breweryr Tour 10 End of Summer celebrationy dinner 11 Workshop for Leaders F 12

Environment day outu on 13

THEHILLWALKER Photo Gallery r 15 t

h e r

Committee 2018/19 Chairman Ruaidhrí O’ Connor Treasurer Ita O’Hanlon Secretary Sarah Jackson Sunday Hikes Coordinator Ruaidhrí O’ Connor Environmental Officer Michael Quinn Membership Secretary Jim Barry Club Promoter Frank Carrick Social Events Coordinator Udo Sap Social Events Assistant Gavin Gilvarry Weekend Away Coordinator Søren Stuhr Mandrup Training Officer Russell Mills Social Media Coordinator Laura Grealish Newsletter Editor Mel O’Hara Special thanks to: Webmaster Matt Geraghty

HIKE PROGRAMME August 2019 – October 2019

MEET: Corner of Burgh Quay and Hawkins St DEPART: Sundays at 10.00 am (unless stated otherwise), or earlier if it is full. TRANSPORT: Private bus (unless stated otherwise) COST: €15.00 (unless stated otherwise)

2nd pick-up point: On the outward journey, the bus will stop briefly to collect walkers at the pick-up point. Should the bus be full on departure from Burgh Quay, this facility cannot be offered.

Return drop-off point: On the return journey, where indicated, the bus will stop near the outward pick-up point to drop off any hikers. We regret this is not possible on all hikes.

If you wish to avail of the 2nd pick-up point, it advisable to contact the hike leader or someone else who will definitely be on the hike, to let them know.

GENERAL HIKE NOTES

PARTICIPATION Mountaineering is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks. People who take part in our club activities do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and involvement.

CO-ORDINATION If necessary, tickets are given out on Sundays to ensure that participants reserve a bus place as they arrive.

LEADER The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not adequately equipped (e.g., without appropriate boots, rainwear, food, torch, hat, gloves, etc.). The leader may alter the route from that described in the program. The leader sets the pace of the hike and walkers are expected to obey the leader’s instructions at all times.

EQUIPMENT It is essential to bring good rain gear (both jacket and over-trousers) and to leave cotton t-shirts and jeans at home! Boots must be sturdy with proper ankle support and a rigid non-slip sole such as Vibram.

WALKING STICKS AND RUCKSACKS Remember that walking sticks and rucksacks cannot be brought onto the bus and must be stowed away in the boot during the journey.

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The pick-up points

The Hillwalker ● August 2019 – October 2019 2

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 Club Taster hard hike 

The Hillwalkers Club offers a Club Taster Hard Hike, usually on one Sunday per month. Guests are welcome to join us on this hike, as long as they provide their name, address and contact details for our records, which will be taken on the day of the hike. Unless guests have their own personal hiking insurance, they are not insured. There is no need to book a place in advance, just turn up on the relevant Sunday morning. Guests can come on one hike without becoming a member of the club, but after that they must join the club.

Guests on these Club Taster hikes should not be newcomers to hiking. These hikes are to introduce experienced hillwalkers to the Hillwalkers Club and its hillwalking activities. Therefore, participants need to have a good level of personal fitness and, ideally, have some recent significant experience of hillwalking.

If you have recently walked more than 16km with more than 700m of ascent or if you are confident that you can walk for 6 hours over rough ground , ascending for 3 of those 6 hours, then you are likely to enjoy one of our hikes. If this is not the case or if you are new to hillwalking then you can gain the required experience on the An Óige hikes. See https://anoige.ie/membership/hiking-programme/ for the An Óige hike programme. People who have gained relevant experience and fitness on the An Óige hikes or elsewhere are very welcome on Hillwalkers Club hikes.

All intending participants should be aware that hillwalking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or even death. By walking with the club, they are aware of and shall accept these risks. Moreover, they acknowledge that they wish to participate in club activities in a voluntary capacity and that they shall be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Please note that as guests of the club, they do not enjoy personal accident insurance, which is otherwise offered to club members through Mountaineering . Further details are available from (www.mountaineering.ie/membersandclubs/Insurance/default.aspx)

For further enquiries contact 086 356 3843 / 087 273 7338

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Sunday 25th August Sunday 8th September

Leader: Søren Stuhr Mandrup ***Club Taster Hike *** (085 825 4563) Newcomers please contact Using Public Transport [email protected] Bus No 16 from Bus Stop No. 336 D'Olier St. Leader: Dave McCann (Ashfield House) to Stop 2969 Grange Road 2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: (Highfield Avenue) Bus stop at roundabout at 10:00 a.m.

Route: Marley Park - Way - Route: Drumgoff Recreation Car Park * Woods - Fairy Castle at Two Carrawaystick * Corrigasleggaun * The Rock - Three Rock Wood - Lough Gap* * Fraughan Rock GAP( Adventure Park) - Glen. - - - Dublin Mountain Way - Shankill at Brady's Pub Distance: 16 km Ascent: 750 m

Distance: 25 km Ascent:760 m Maps: OSI 56 with 62 , East West Mapping Maps: OSI 50 & 56 , East West Mapping ( Lugnaquilla and ) (Dublin & North Wicklow )

Sunday 15th September Sunday 1st September Leader: Laura Grealish Leader: Brian Flynn 2nd pick-up point: Maldron Hotel, 2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Different Return Bus stop at Loughlinstown roundabout Route: Oasis * Carrigshouk * East Top * Route: Glendalough visitors centre * the Mullaghcleevaun * Barnacullian Ridge * Spinc * the Lugduffs s/h 705 * * Stoney Top * * * Three Lakes * Asbawn Brook * St Kevin's South East Top * Glendalough. Way * Ballinagee Bridge.

Distance: 19/20 kms Distance 21 km, Ascent 1025m Ascent: 640m Maps: OSI 56, East West Mapping Maps: OS 56, East-West Mapping ( West ) (Lugnaquilla and Glendalough )

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Sunday 29th September DAY TRIP TO BELFAST Leader : Brian Madden st ***Saturday 21 September*** 2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Bus stop at Loughlinstown roundabout ***Belfast Hills*** Route: Drumgoff Recr Area CP (T 094 889) Depart Dublin: 9.00am * Fananieran * Croaghanmoira * Mucklagh Hut * * * Parish BUS FARE €20 boardwalk * Drumgoff Recr Area CP *

****MEAL EXTRA**** Distance: 17.5 km

Leaders: Michael Quinn and Noel Rice Ascent: 840 m (Wildlife Connections Officer, Belfast Hills Partnership) Maps: OSI 56 with 62; East West Mapping (Lugnaquilla & Glendalough Route: Belfast Hills Introductory two-part hike to the Belfast Hills * Divis (478m) * Black Mountain Summit Trail * Cave Hill Country Park *

Together these walks offer panoramic views north to the Sperrins and the Antrim Plateau, Sunday 6th October east over Belfast, west over Lough Neagh, and southwards towards the Mournes. ***Club Taster Hike ***

Start at Divis Mountain: 11.15 am Newcomers please contact Lunch: 1.15 pm [email protected] Arrive by coach to Cave Hill: 2.00 pm Finish: 5:00 pm Leader: Donal Finn Dinner: 5.15 pm, at 2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Standing Stones Lodge, Divis Road, Belfast Maldron Hotel, Tallaght (main courses from £7.50 to £13) Route: Oasis * Carrigshouk * Depart Belfast: 6.15 pm; Mullaghcleauvaun East * Mullaghcleauvaun Arrival in Dublin 8.30pm approx. West * Billy Byrne's Gap * * Silsean * Lacken. Maps: Belfast Hills Ordnance Survey map: http://belfasthills.org/visiting/os-map-2/ Distance: 16 km Ascent: 650m

Maps: OSI 56 and East West Mapping (Wicklow Mountains West)

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Sunday 13th October October Bank Holiday Weekend th th Leader: Philip Hayden 25 to 28 October

2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Bus *Trip to Mayo* stop at Loughlinstown roundabout Route:. * * Trooperstown * With hikes in Connemara Area

Derrybawn * Glendalough* Leader: Distance: 21 km Søren Stuhr Mandrup

Ascent: 780 m Details to be finalised and circulated Maps: OSI 56, East West Mapping later ( Lugnaquilla and Glendalough) If interested please contact

Søren at [email protected]

AGM REMINDER Thursday October 17th

Sunday 20th October

Leader: Gerry Walsh

2nd pick-up & return drop-off point: Maldron Hotel, Tallaght

Route : Drumreagh* * Wexford and Kavanagh Gaps* *3 Lakes* Arts Cross* Oakwood *St Kevin's Way * Ballinagee Bridge.

Distance: 19 kms Ascent: 750 m

Map: OSI 56, East West Mapping (Wicklow Mountains West)

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Club news and events

AGM 2019

The 2019 club AGM will be held at The Teacher’s Club, th Parnell Square on Thursday October 17 2019 at 20.00

A formal agenda will be issued before the meeting. Mountaineering Ireland’s decision to increase their membership

fee to €35 and the Sunday Bus hire arrangements and costs

are among the items which will have to be discussed

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

Laura Grealish has organised a to Bray Cliff Walk

followed by a Brewery tour on Saturday 24th August see Page 10 for details

Garry Byrne has organised a Social Night Out with meal on Thursday 5th September, 2019 see Page 11 for details

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Training for Hike Leaders

Club Training Officer Russell Mills has organised a One Day First Aid Course for Club Hike Leaders on Saturday October 12th in the Brockagh Centre, Laragh. It will run from 09.00 - 17.00 approx. There are 10 places available on this course

Russell has also organised a

Workshop for Hike Leaders

On Saturday November 2nd.

See Page 12 for details

Members interested in taking part in mountains skills training are invited to contact Russell for advice regarding their training needs and ambitions. Russell’s contact details :- 086 446 6997 or [email protected]

October Bank Holiday Weekend 25th to 28th October *Trip to Mayo* With hikes in Connemara Area

Leader: Søren Stuhr Mandrup

Details to be finalised and circulated later

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The Hillwalker ● August 2019 – October 2019 10

Hillwalkers Club End of Summer Celebrations! The Hillwalkers Club is holding a dinner to mark the end of summer. A three course meal has been organised by Garry Byrne. A similar event was held there last year to celebrate 25 years since the Hillwalkers was founded and it proved a great success. Venue: Wuff Restaurant, 23 Benburb Street, on the corner of Blackhall Place, Dublin 7 The Luas red line runs directly in front, Smithfield or Museum stops can be used.

Date and Time: Thursday 5th September, 2019 at 7.30pm.

Pre and After Drinks: The Mission Bar, 30 Ellis Quay, Dublin 7 (suggested venue).

Price: Around €25 for the meal, drinks extra. Wine and bottled beers available. Booking Deposit and Payment Method: A deposit of €15, ideally by Bank Transfer is required, payable by Friday 30th August 2018. Booking now open. Please Note: Pre-payment is requested to confirm your place and is payable by bank by transfer to the Bank of Ireland club account. Club treasurer Ita O’Hanlon at [email protected] will provide club bank account details for electronic transfer payments to members who require them. Please be sure to include your name in the bank transfer remittance information. If payment by cheque is preferred, please contact Ita at [email protected] for posting details.

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LEADERSHIP SKILLS WORKSHOP

Saturday November 2nd

Club Training Officer Russel Mills has organised a workshop on the skills and techniques of good leadership in the hills. This workshop is available at no cost to all hike leaders. This is a peer led event and is designed to encourage good practice through open discussion among our leaders. It is not specifically a navigation course.

Issues facing leaders when out in the hills will be looked at including: Managing a group over steep ground. Dealing with a casualty. Keeping a group together. Managing a group in poor visibility. Matching abilities to the conditions. Specific mountain hazards. The leaders rucksack. Risk assessment strategies. Consideration of the weather. When to retreat. Issues raised by the leaders on the day.

Run by Russ Mills and Tom Kenny on and around Lugnaquilla mountain. Meet at Barravore car park in at 10.00am. Only 12 places available.

To book your place please email Russ at: [email protected]

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Environment Day on Djouce Mountain

I had the good fortune to be invited by Helen Lawless of Mountaineering Ireland to a gathering on 6th July of environment officers and others with an interest in the protection of, and promoting awareness about, upland areas. The gathering took place at Brian Mulligan's mountain farm, whose family have been farming on Djouce for many generations. Brian has recently entered into a project developed by Wicklow Uplands Council's Sustainable Uplands Agriculture-environment Scheme (SUAS), which aims to begin to reverse some of the declines in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands through the introduction of appropriate land management initiatives. Breaking from the tradition of Wicklow Cheviot sheep farming, he brought in from a new flock of eighty Lanark sheep (affectionately known as 'hornies') and located them on an extensive hillside that had been flailed of tall bracken. These sheep are renowned for their mountain hardiness and low maintenance (just like members on the Hillwalkers' Club?) and are expected to result in a more eco-friendly and economically sustainable farming on Douce.

The group on Djouce Summit July 6th - Photo Michael Quinn

We were led on a mountainside field trip by Faith Wilson, a freelance ecologist, who has surveyed the rare, scare and threatened plants of . She is currently providing ecological expertise to the SUAS project. We viewed the negative effects of mass burnings on , and talked about the on the east face of Douce and considered what could be done to heal its dreadful scar.

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The rare Dwarf ( Salix herbacea ) on Djouce summit – Photo Michael Quinn

A particular highlight of Faith's scholarly identification and information concerning a host of trees, plants, lichens, heathers, and mosses, was her discovery on the summit of Douce of the now rare Dwarf Willow – Ireland's smallest tree. Faith explained that this species would previously have been widespread on the summit.

Finally, Andrea Webb, a ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, spoke about the challenges in her job and supplied these useful numbers:

• Wicklow Mountains National Park duty ranger: 087-9803899 to report off-road vehicle activity and wildlife crime. If you are unable to reach the ranger, phone the Wicklow Mountains National Park information office at 0404-45425. (Do not text the duty ranger number as your message will not go through.) • To report litter and small-scale illegal dumping ring the PURE Project: at 1850- 365121. • If you see anti-social or anti-environmental behaviour in the Glenmalure , phone the Glenmalure PURE Mile group: Pat & Margaret Dunne 0404-46249 or 087-4109259, or Charles O’Byrne and Pauline Emerson on 0404-46288 or 087- 9234764. Michael Quinn Environment Officer 2 August 2019

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Photo Gallery

Laura and Gavin display their Lug Walk Tee Shirts – Photo Michael Quinn Laura has also recently successfully completed the Mourne Sevens Challenge walk.

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Laura leads the Happy Wanderers towards Glenmacnass - Laura’s Hike 7th July

Ruth at Lough Ouler - Laura’s Hike 7th July

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Laura on Tonelagee - Laura’s Hike 7th July

Group on Tonelagee - Laura’s Hike 7th July – Photo Ruth Murphy

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From Gerry Walsh’s trip to Kerry - The Hag’s Tooth and more – Photo - Laura Grealish

From Gerry Walsh’s trip to Kerry – Damp day on - Photo - Laura Grealish

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From trip to Kerry – Looks a bit ropey – Photo – Laura Grealish

From trip to Kerry – Dynamic Duo – Photo – Laura Grealish

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From trip to Kerry – Brian – Photo – Udo Sap

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From trip to Kerry – Beenkeragh, Lough Gouragh and Knockbrinnea – Photo – Shauna O’Hara

From trip to Kerry – Monday’s Big Gun Traverse – Photo – Shauna O’Hara

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