An invite from Willie Fitzgerald to view Limerick’s portion of The Golden Vale from Slievereagh was not to be sneezed at. The invitation included instructions to assemble at “The Square”, Kilfinane. Anyone arriving expecting “a plane figure with four equal sides and four right angles” had to grasp that we were in the realm of poetry and not of prose. The weather, recently unsettled, behaved itself so that it was 90%+ perfect for the 15.7km and climbing 401 metres. A new element to our walking as the days grow shorter was a cold wind that motivated the members to be off.
Notwithstanding our love of familiar walks, Willie is one of our generous leaders who introduces us to new pastures. Every twist and turn in the pathway brings surprise and new vistas. At times we sloshed through liquid mud and were grateful that expensive climbing boots were paying their way. The pinnacle was very windy and cold but the views for 360 degrees proclaimed the very best of farming land and much evidence of productive use. We found a shady nook about 50 metres below the peak where we dug into our tucker and drew breath.
After a long but gradual climb to the top, gravity’s pull is a friend on a gradual descent. With Mitchelstown’s Clongibbon House our designated spot for our post walk meal and chat,
not everybody made it to table. This was a pity but given the geography understandable. We were served well prepared food in generous amounts. Congratulations to the server who
brought the one dessert ordered – a superior cheesecake. He read the soul of the recipient and brought a solitary spoon.
Thank you, Willie, for a golden day out in the Vale of the same precious metal.
Seán Ó Callanáin
RTAI CORK BLOG - Suíomh na Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí 