After the good weather which spoiled us the nasty morning which was Sunday last on the Galtees was a rude awakening. The early walk led by John Byrne and Phillip Dunne started from the Rossadrehid Waterworks and after negotiating the furze bushes got out onto open mountain on the eastern side of Cush. Turning sharply westwards John led up the side of Cush where the weather turned nasty with driving hail and biting winds which had his crew into all the bad weather gear. Over the top and after reaching the saddle between Cush and Galtybeg John demonstrated a sharp turn in the saddle and headed for hidden Lough Diheen across some very rough ground. The next part of the walk involved some gullying as John and Phillip led up the back in miserable wet conditions. All arrived safely on top after a strenuous climb to the coll between Galty Beg and Galtymore where he turned into the biting winds and headed for the top. A short break for sustenance and polite conversation with the Ballyhoura Bears who had a large led walk before the welcome drop off to Monacloghana and the course adjustment for Slievecushnabinnia. Weather rapidly improved and clothes were shed as temperatures rose. The downhill walk was pleasant and soon the Cush Boreen was crossed before the final pull over the back of Cush and the nice walk out to the cars after covering about 24 kilometres in all kinds of weather and terrain at a very civilised pace with some very interesting subjects discussed.

Andy Ryan and Aine Lynch led the noon walk and stayed on the opposite side of the Galtees. Parking at the Youth Hostel they led off in a clockwise direction for Loughlin’s Castle and Greenane. Once Andy reached the spur off Greenane he led down and soon reached the wood line where Aine and he picked up the Ford of Cullenagh. The walk out through the forest paths was pleasant in rapidly improving weather. The Achill away weekend crew are enjoying themselves and their adventures will be reported on later.

There are two separate walks next week Sunday the 9^th May; one in the Knockmealdown’s at 10am with Tom Dalton and Greg Kenny the leaders. Kevin Bowen is leading the Burren walk and this is an early start as the bus leaves Eldon’s at 7.30am. The walk is about 8 hours and no difficult bits with a height gain of 635 metres. The bus will stop in Ballyvaughan on the way back for a meal. If you want seats on the bus put your names on the list in Eldon’s or ring Nuala on mobile on 0868357290 to ensure your place. For those who cannot make the Sunday walks there is an evening walk starting from Eldon’s on Wednesday 12^th May at 18.30 led by Kevin O Donnell. Log on to the club’s website for information updates or call the PRO on 0862937220 for more upcoming events