Walks Calendar
Walk Levels
There will be Slow, Medium Slow, Medium Medium and Medium Fast walks on every "Main Sunday". The grading of the different levels of walks is as follows:

 

Grade

Distance

Max Height Gain

Duration

Slow

 

6 – 10 km

500 metres

4 to 5 hours

Medium Slow

 

8 – 12 km

700 metres

4 to 5.5 hours

Medium Medium

 

10 – 14 km

900 metres

4 to 5.5 hours

Medium Fast

 

13 – 17 km

1,100 metres

4 to 6 hours

Fast

 

14 – 22 km

1,200 metres

4 to 6 hours
 
Weather

For a general weather report  look up http://www.rte.ie/weather/ or www.met.ie.

If you would like to see the current rainfall over the country click on http://www.met.ie/latest/rainfall_radar.asp
 
Car Pooling
The Club encourages car pooling, to protect the environment and because parking at walk starts is often limited and can become congested. Details of our car pooling points are detailed below. Only in exceptional circumstances should a driver arrive at the Walk Start alone.  When parking at designated car pooling points please have consideration for business premises in the vicinity.    

 

First car pool (for Northsiders and City folk) meets at 5 Lower Mount St.

Second car pool (for Southsiders etc.) meets at designated meeting point (check Walks Calendar).
 
Organisation of Sunday Walks

  • Our Main Walks take place on average every second Sunday and start at 11.30.

A typical Sunday walk:

  • 08.00: Get up!! Wash, put on gear, have breakfast, make sandwiches, pack torch, kiss cat goodbye.
  • 09.45: First car pool (for Northsiders and City folk) meets outside O'Dwyer's Pub on Mount St.
  • 10.30: Second car pool (for Southsiders etc.) meets at designated meeting point (consult Walk List on website).
  • 11.30: Walks Start: A Walk Co-ordinator will introduce the walks (stating: height, duration, distance, route, difficulty). Please select a walk that matches your ability and fitness level on the day.
  • 17.00: Groups return to walk start and head to designated pub. Buy leaders a drink!!

Main Walk notes:

  • On every Main walk day there will be 4 to 5 grades of walk: slow, medium slow, medium medium, medium fast and fast. Please choose a walk that suits your fitness level. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.
  • All walks start and finish at the same place (see Walks Start on the Walks Calendar).
  • Walks last on average 4 hours (slow grade) to 6 hours (fast grade) depending on time of year, route, group speed, grade, weather, terrain.
  • The various walks will stop for lunch at about 1.30.
  • To protect the environment and to avoid congestion we insist that members use one of the two Car Pools provided (see Walks Calendar). Only in exceptional circumstances should a driver arrive at the Walk Start alone. Note that it is safer to leave your valuables at the car pool.
  • Our leaders are volunteers and bear a lot of responsibility for people's safety. Please be as co-operative as possible and buy them a pint or a cuppa in the pub afterwards!!
  • Sorry no dogs: we love animals and since walks sometimes may involve the crossing of farmland dogs cannot be permitted.

What to bring

  • If it is your first time hill walking please choose your equipment carefully. See: Advice on Equipment
  • Rucksack.
  • Boots. No runners!!
  • Tracksuit bottoms will do if you don't have dedicated walking trousers (recommended). No denims or cords.
  • Fleece, waterproof jacket and leggings, hat, scarf, gloves (even in Summer).
  • Water/soft drink, hot drink in unbreakable flask.
  • Sandwiches, fruit, chocolate. Lunch is eaten at about 1.30pm.
  • Torch with a spare battery.
  • It is strongly advised to get a 1:50,000 map Discovery Series Sheet 56 (laminated) and learn how to use it.
  • Change of clothes for pub after walk.