The RTAI hillwalking group finally got their walk in on March 23rd after having to cancel it previously due to very inclement weather. The route was The Millennium Loop in the Glen of Aherlow and was lead by Willie Fitzgerald. We parked by The Christ The King monument overlooking the Glen with marvelous views of the entire Galty Mountains Ridge across from us.
An information board named all the mountains along the ridge. The monument sculptured by the Neff Brothers, Cork in 1975 sits on a pedestal of Kilkenny limestone, on steps of Aran Islands quartz and a base of local sandstone from the local Gortdrum quarry. This walk was 10 km and was very enjoyable in the spring weather.
The first hour was gentle along forestry roads in the woods to the Millennium Stone. Unfortunately we didn’t hear the woodpeckers that now inhabit this area. The stone erected in 2000 by Jarlath Daly depicts bible scenes and a mixture of of stone, sand and ferrous oxide causes it to have a pink hue in the evening sun. Here we had a relaxing chat as the sun shone.
This route is along the sandstone Slievemuck Ridge which has great routes including The Ballyhoura Way, The Ballinacourty Loop and The Dolmen Loop all the way to Gallybaly. Legend says Fionn Mc Cumhail slayed the troublesome boar Beo to gain favour of Lochan , the local Blacksmith’s daughter Crithne.
Our homeward journey included some ascending along forestry trails and we stopped for lunch at The Rock of Thorabh, which afforded magnificent views over Tipperary Town, The Golden Vale, Devils Bit Mt. and Silvermine Mts.
Refreshed after sustenance and a good relaxing chat it was downhill back to the start and there was a delightful deciduous wood trail to finish.
It was a lovely walk and opens up many route possibilities in the area. The Galty Ridge looked magnificent in the evening sun as we left for home.
Míle buíochas le Willie Fitzgerald for the cúntas (in the absence of Seán O C) & le Rosemary O’Halloran as ucht na grianngraphanna
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