Lake District Hillwalking Club

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Lake District Hillwalking Club

This is the page for the Lakedistrict Hillwalking club. See our website for walk schedules.

08/03/2026

Today we could be forgiven for thinking Devils Mother has its own climate, unique onto itself. While the mountain weather forecast was accurate - higher winds and rain in the afternoon, everywhere else seems to have had a calm quiet day.
Mother Nature played one of her oldest tricks on us - we started dry and clear and had a wind assisted ascent for the first hour or so. We swallowed it whole and thought we had struck lucky. Visibility was endless and we sauntered along sorting the world’s problems. Then as we neared the summit nature played her hand and we were hit with strong cross winds and dense fog. Too late & too stubborn to turn back we ploughed along and after an energy sapping climb the summit came into view through the fog.
Delighted with ourselves we turned downhill and very soon visibility was again infinite. We found a sheltered spot for a lunch we felt was richly deserved and enjoyed it, flavoured with a sense of satisfaction. Down the ridge and back to Leenane and a different climate. Tanks to Gabriel and ChatGPT for the photos.

21/02/2026

Maybe because it was a day after St.Valentine’s Day that we had a low turnout, but for those who did it was better than chocolates and flowers. It’s not often we venture this high for rambles but it proved the right call. The day was crisp, dry and clear. Thanks to Mary and Adrienne for the pictures.

09/02/2026

Last Saturday saw the Lakedistrict Hillwalking club at play in a rare setting - indoors. Our natural habitat is the hills or valleys with which we are blessed to have at our doorstep. But once a year we gather in Burke’s Clonbur to celebrate the year past and the one ahead. We enjoy this rare event and the convivial atmosphere of Burke’s. The food and service is always top class and it’s nice to leave the gaiters and knapsack’s at home occasionally and get washed before we go out!!
Edward in his chairman’s address thanked all those who contribute to our activities in any way; from the people who do the long day’s catering at the JCC to the radio operators without whom we could not hold our flagship event. This year we contributed €4,000 to the hospice foundations.
As well as all that we manage two outings per month in many locations throughout the year.
Here’s looking forward to an active and healthy 2026.

05/02/2026

We had a wonderful celebration of St. Bridget last Sunday 1st February with a wonderful walk on Bunacuneen, led by Mary Murphy. While our fiends in the ‘sunny south east’ were battling with floods we walked in clear sunshine - with the Joyce County showing us all her happy glory. Spring bulbs were pushing towards sky, hazel and willow trees as well as gorse were announcing our new walking year and promising bright days ahead as we exit winter. The pictures tell the story of a joyous journey.
We will make plans for the year ahead and review last year’s when we sit down in Burke’s Saturday night.

04/01/2026

With yellow ice and cold warnings in place we might have been tempted to postpone today’s first outing of 2026. But fortune favoured the brave and we were well rewarded with a stunning day that will be remembered for a long time.
The crisp cold day delivered views that held us in awe as we skipped along the firm ground. A little frost works wonders with underfoot conditions and we made the most of it. Our cheerful chatter echoed around the hills in a new route devised by our leader Miko. There seemed to be no limit to the distances we could see. Lough’s Mask and Corrib were as clear as crystal as we lunched looking down to Finny church, its white walls glistening in the clear air.
We turned regretfully for home, not wanting the odyssey to end. But the end was as special as the walk with the delights served up by Teresa. We had hot tea accompanied by home baked scones as well as Christmas cake and rocky road. Hot toddies were relished by those not burdened by driving.
The walk and the hospitality provided us with an absolutely delightful start to 2026.
Thanks to Miko and Teresa for an unforgettable day. The pictures will tell the tale of the day. See you all again next month.

13/12/2025

Sunday 7th December saw our final hillwalk of 2025 with our customary outing on Leenane hill, led by Helen. The temptation to cancel was strong given the uncertain weather outlook but optimism won out and was well rewarded. We started in light rain and moderate wind but propelled by a Met Eirean promise of ‘ a clearing from the west later’. It was later than hoped for but even more welcome as a result. There is something truly special in seeing clouds lifting and that precious light reserved for our westerly hills. We felt personally rewarded for this beautiful gift. We floated down to the western way with Killary and the sea beyond beaming benevolent smiles up to us.
It was a touching end to another year of pleasurable days spent among our friends in our local wonder of the world. Our hills nourish our desire to connect to nature, providing not just scenery but sanctuary also.
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and another great year on the hills.

26/10/2025

Last Sunday our ramblers went to Tully hill where a variety of terrain and views were enjoyed. We are so lucky that we can experience sea views and the variety of sky and cloud formations, from our hills as well as the views of mountain ranges and valleys.

Next week we have our penultimate hill walk of the year with Miko leading. With the time changes we will be having walks of a shorter duration.
Looking forward to next week already!

06/10/2025

The day began well, first Sunday of October, with Patrick Kavanagh reading his poem ‘October’ just after 7:00am on radio. It was a good omen.

The weather forecast was ok but not great. We gathered at the church of the Wayside and got booted and suited. Then down the Inagh valley to the start of the walk. It was disappointing to see a traditional parking spot blocked off. However we found parking and headed off. Underfoot conditions were better than expected and the sky clear.
We ambled along enjoying the fabulous surroundings and chatting about all topics and none. We arrived at Maolan in great form and very dry. We had a short shower as well lunched but it passed quickly and we were back to the spectacular vista of Diamond hill and Owenglen horseshoe.
We turned for home not wishing to push our luck. The debrief with coffees and cakes in the Purple Door put the icing on a wonderful day.

07/09/2025

Today we took a big gamble on the weather and got very lucky, we won the Hillwalking equivalent of the lottery. Of course we did have passing showers and a lively breeze, but nothing compared to the way things looked earlier in the week. We weren’t out on a good hillwalk since the JCC in July so were champing at the bit to get out. That probably explains why we risked the weather and pulled on the boots and gaiters. Also, we hadn’t done Doughruagh for a number of years. The clouds and mist, combined with the dark rocks that give this hill its name, made for a great sense of adventure and connection to wild nature.
We debriefed in the comfort of Kylemore Abbey with the best of their confectionery. As the song says, “there will be days like this”. Thanks to Adrienne and Helen for the photos.

21/07/2025

With more feedback and pictures coming in we need a third post. It also presents an opportunity to recognise the valuable support we receive every year from the Galway Radio experimenters club. They provide an invaluable service enabling communications from the base in Finny to the checkpoints on the hills and the secondary base at Ail Dubh. This adds greatly to the safety of all participants. Also we want to recognise Galway Mountain Rescue who provide on site support every year. This year they were called to assist a walker with a sprained ankle. We owe you a great debt.

20/07/2025

So many pictures coming in from yesterday that we need a second post. While the challenge was going on plenty of other outdoor enthusiasts were enjoying the other walks on offer. In all 4 walks are available to include all ranges of interest. They all shared the hospitality at various stages as well as the joy of the camaraderie and wonderful scenery.

02/03/2025

Spring has arrived and we ventured to north Mayo to celebrate the end of winter. We had hoped to feast and generally celebrate as our ancestors did as we enjoyed the magnificent vista’s that Irelands highest free standing mountain has to offer.
The elements had other ideas though and decided to mock our intentions. When we reached the peak of Nephin the wind roared and threw all she had at us to force us back from the peak. Just for spite we hunkered down in a nearby bothy and enjoyed our lunch. It’s not every day we see one of our members take out chopsticks and have lunch while the wind screeches. But Haruki took no notice of mother nature and followed his own, and it seemed perfect.
Apart from the wind at the peak the rest of the day was a treasure. We were out, we were together and the backdrop was breathtaking. We decided to make a return visit as we enjoyed the unique ambiance the is Leonard’s of Laherdaun. Thanks to Natasha as usual for the photos.

Address

Cahergowan
Claregalway

Telephone

+353862269234

Website

http://Lakedistricthwc.com/

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