The familiar routes are much loved by RTAI walkers, yet an extra ripple of excitement greets the announcement of a new one. Take a bow then, walk leader, Willie Fitzgerald. Last year he led us in the Ballyhouras’ “Blackrock Loop” and on March 7th, for an encore, he led us on “The Bernard Brothers’ Loop” in Glanageenty/Gleann na Ginnte, Co. Kerry.
While road directions could not be faulted & Google Maps offered three routes heading into hidden Co. Kerry, it amounted to a true adventure even before we pulled on our walking boots. The Macroom Bypass yet again earned our praise as we sped to an area roughly in the Castleisland/Oileán Chiarraí area. With three coloured code walks on offer, we were led along the purple (i.e. the honours course) route! Mags McCarthy earned double wages of praise by directing us to parking. She had also worked hard in organising the outing.
The Glanageenty community is to be praised for welcoming us among them. They have enhanced trails with gravel, steps, coloured route indicators, information boards and local history. Praise is also due to their generosity in sharing the sheer beauty of their hidden gem of a location. Places to rest and picnic were well chosen and the elements of challenge added to the experience. Thankfully, the rain that had accompanied us as we drove west was marked as “as láthair” once our walking boots were on.
In a further bonus from nature, one walker spotted a lizard (Zootoca Vivipara) on a tree stump; however another walker pronounced it a newt (Lissotriton Vulgaris). In keeping with modern usage as nobody had photographed the creature the dispute was shut down and all agreed nothing at all had been seen!
By the time we had walked the 9.2 km we were convinced Willie had introduced us to another winner. The hospitality at “The Mills”, Baile Mhúirne, as ever did not disappoint. Once again the generosity of RTAI volunteers had opened the eyes of 30+ members to another treasure of the Great Outdoors that awaited not too far away to which we needed but an informed introduction.
Seán Ó Callanáin
RTAI CORK BLOG - Suíomh na Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí 