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) 7378123 Page 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 Page 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 Page 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 4 Page.