Carefree Beyond the Tunnel

Entering the Jack Lynch Tunnel (heading north) for many months past, brought the likelihood of
a surprise layout on the other side. As children at Christmas will tell you “Not all surprises are
good”. Perhaps the anticipation of surprise was at the root of the multiple car crash that
prefaced our Coombaun, Galtees, hillwalk on May 3rd? Thankfully nobody was hurt in the
crash, but from a selfish point of view it inconvenienced many of those RTAI members
travelling to the Firgrove Hotel for the “off”. Joan McCann & Clare Shelly fielded the “Hold me
excused” messages of delay that flooded in, all the while keeping the hotel folk and early
walkers in the loop. Thankfully all were wise enough to accept that compared to the unfortunate
people caught in the crash, our problems of delay were small potatoes.
Seven pooled carloads headed to base-camp parking and soon we were enjoying the fresh air
and convivial company. Joan set an even pace and Dick Waide made sure no stragglers slipped
out the back!
The walking conditions were ideal- dry, cool with some wind and sun to enhance the mix. With a
smaller than usual group, the spread between first and last did not require catch-up stops and
so it was easier to maintain a rhythm and still take breathers as required. Conscious of our
delayed start and of hotel requirements our leader edited the walk seamlessly. However, in a
display of raw power, she inflicted a “volunteer” singer and song on a captive audience.
Thankfully, no mutiny ensued and we all arrived back to to a room set aside for us in the hotel.
From what had looked like a disappointing non-starter of a day Joan had turned it to gold.
Well done to all at the Firgrove, the beginning and end of many Galtee adventures.
P.s. Congrats to the tunnel and surrounds workers. The complexity of what they are doing is
astounding and all the while keeping the junction in full time use. Wow!
Seán Ó Callanáin