Ireland

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This was a ‘ boys only’ long weekend trip to Ireland to get some hill walking done in the west of Ireland.

 

A short flight to Dublin from Gatwick, a few pints of Guinness in Temple Bar before hiring a car the next day and George, Brian and Geoff heading off for Killarney.

 

The weather forecast was not that good and the Irish west coast is not known for its fine weather.  However, we were lucky and were able to climb Carrauntoohil (1, 038m) the highest mountain in southern Ireland.

The climb involves a scramble up a very steep gully, The Devil’s Ladder. You can just see it rising up to the saddle above the tree on the left.

Overall Carrauntoohil is probably the technically most challenging of all the tallest peaks in Great Britain.  The rock is crumbly and the ground unstable and we found some quite difficult sections both on the way up and on the way down.

Looking back at the way we had come up, so far. We were standing on the saddle you can see in the photograph above.  We still have the long slope up to the peak to do.

(left) The  Three Intrepid Pennells at the top of Devil’s Ladder

 

(below) Brian and Geoff on the summit.

 

(below) This was the way down —  no, it did not get any better!     One trip and you were in for a high dive!

 

In places, the path was difficult to discern and we found ourselves in some challenging  places. 

(right)  Brian tackles an unexpected obstacle course on the way down ……………… 

 

 

much to Geoff’s amusement (below)

When we got back to the bottom we discovered that a team from M&S were also tackling Carrauntoohil and this was the last of their 5 peak challenge.  They had already climbed Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Pike (England), Snowdon (Wales) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland) within the last 48 hours. Apparently, the team of 32 had raised over £1 million between them for charity.  Well done everyone involved!

 

We returned to Killarney to find the town buzzing with people. The following day there was to be a charity cycle ride around the Ring of Kerry and tomorrow evening there was to be a critical Irish football match to be held in town.   The Guinness was flowing and the restaurants and bars were bustling.

 

The following day dawned grey and misty and the peaks were hidden in low cloud. We decided to drive out and explore the Dingle Peninsula and get some low level walking done in that area.

The town of Dingle is not particularly attractive but a tour around Slea Head reveals some dramatic and beautiful coastline.

 

 

 

Brian decided to take a dip in the sea at Slea Head. 

He found the water a bit  COLD!!!!!!

The north coast of the Dingle Peninsular is very scenic and the view below is from the veranda of a small pub which served excellent lunches—and Guinness, of course!

We returned to Killarney to find the town thronging with people.  The cycle ride and the football match had been a great success and everyone was out celebrating.  We could not drive through the town, as the streets were choked with people and so we had to leave the car and walk  -  and join in!

 

 

Our last day and time to head back to Dublin. However, we just had time to explore a little more and travelled around the lake side to the Torc waterfall.  The falls were quite small but pretty and worth a visit.

(above) a view over Killarney lake from the top of Torc Falls

 

(left)  Torc Waterfall

 

 

 

A Great Weekend !!!