Great Walking in the Blackstairs Print

Peaks Mountaineering Club Notes  7th March 2010

15 club members braved the early morning to join Ciaran Culleton on the Blackstairs. Ciaran was following the full Blackstairs challenge route, so a good days walking was on the cards. Setting out in Co Wexford, a few miles from Bunclody, at 9.00 AM., height was gained rapidly up to Blackrock Mountain, which is the highest point in Co Wexford. From there along the ridge Ciaran led the crossing into Co Carlow, to Mount Leinster itself. Here the cloud was still down and a quick but very cold sustenance break was availed of in the "shelter" of the TV mast. As the group moved away, the cloud lifted and for the rest of the day, they enjoyed glorious sunshine, but in a chilly easterly breeze. Ciaran then led his still merry band up and down Knockroe and onto the road at Scullogue Gap. After a quick breather, it was then up the towering bulk of Blackstair Mt. itself. Just over an hour later the group made it over the top and found shelter on the way down in "Cahir Rua's Den", for a very pleasant lunch.
From there it was down into Bantry Commons and then a quick pull up onto Ballygrinnigan ridge. From here with most of the hard work over, the walkers, all still in fine spirits, moved along the ridge, over to the Mass Rock and began the decent. As the heather gave way to some furze bushes towards the end of the decent, some of the ladies did pass comment as to the state of their legs for the following day. For safety reasons, it was noted that Ciaran, moved swiftly 100 meters ahead at this point! After a beautiful walk through a few fields and down a lovely old lane, the main road was reached and a few minutes later our merry band arrived in Glynn, Co. Carlow and the waiting bus. The full walk took under 9 hours, in excellent underfoot conditions and everyone was delighted with their efforts on what was a great walk on a great day. As Ciaran escaped back to his native Wexford, the bus was filling up and heading for Thomastown to stop for some well deserved food and excellent it was too. 
Andy Ryan led the noon walk in the Nire Valley and he had 17 club members with him.  Andy started for the Gap and then swung off for the Spilloge’s and started to contour to the west under the shelter. This brought his crew to the Coumlocha’s and the sharp pull up to Lough Coumfea. After that it was a downhill march back to the trailer bridge and the short bit of road work to the cars after covering about 10 kilometres around the “lakes”.
Reminder that the date of the Knockmealdown crossing is approaching and give Nuala a call if you are available to help on Saturday 24th April. More details on our website at www.peaksmcclonmel.ie or call Bernard on mobile no 0862937220
 All walks next Sunday the 14th March are in the Galtees. Buy an ordinance survey map no 74 as it contains both the Galtee and Knockmealdown ranges of mountains. Cut out each section, get it laminated, be easy to handle in winds, it will fold nicely and also be weatherproof. The leaders for Sundays walks are 10am Phillip Dunne and John Morrissey. The noon walk at 12 is led by Kevin O Donnell assisted by Nora O Donovan and Pat Beardmore.