St Patricks weekend in Comeraghs

St. Patrick’s Weekend in the sunny southeast. (posted pp Gerry Moss)
This year, as a one off, we have a four day Public Holiday Weekend. It would be a shame to let this go abegging, so I have reserved 10 places, plus a small room for myself (seniores priores and all of that), in Ballymacarbry Community Hostel, Co. Waterford, for 3 nights, Thurs; Fri; Sat, March 17th., 18th.,and 19th., with March 16th. available also, for those who may wish to travel down after work on Wednesday. The cost is 20 Euros per head per night and members may come for all or some of the overnights. Google the hostel for more info.
So, what’s on offer…
HILLWALKING. The hostel is ideally situated between the Knockmealdown Mountains and the Comeraghs. The former offers good ridge walking over firm, dry ground, the latter is home to Coumshingaun, regarded as one of the finest examples of a corrie in Europe. A walk around the upper rim of the corrie provides splendid views and makes for a good day out.
So there are plenty of opportunities to practice map reading and compass work. O.S. Sheets 74 & 75 cover the area as do East/West Maps Knockmealdowns and Comeraghs.
The cliffs surrounding the lake on 3 sides offer a range of climbs but they may not be in condition this early in the year. However, an ascent of A Walk on the West End, a 2 pitch HS up an exposed rib at the back of the lake makes for a wonderful introduction to this spectacular area and might be feasible.
There are also numerous lower level walks within reach: the Nire Valley Walks, the Colligan Woods Walks, the Ardmore Cliff Path etc..
CLIMBING. The south facing, sheltered, sun catching sea cliffs of Ardmore, Knockadoon and Helvick are a short drive away. These cliffs, which were developed by the IMC, mainly during the winter months, are all year round venues and have a wide selection of routes from Diff to HVS, some of them in delightful surroundings.
CYCLING. The Waterford Greenway provides outings through a pleasant, pastoral countryside.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS. This is an IMC club meet. It is not a course and I am not an instructor. While every encouragement will be given, members must be capable of looking after themselves and those intending to climb need to be competent at belaying and abseiling.
The hostel has a fully equipped kitchen, so members can choose to eat in or eat out. Some of the other amenities at the hostel may be available but it does not have a drying room, so it might be wise to bring some spare clothes, to allow for the highly unlikely occurrence of rainfall.
Please don’t register unless you fully intend to come, as places are limited.