It’s time to get your walking boots out! Ballyhoura International Walking festival is here again. It takes place on the bank holiday weekend from Friday 4th May until Monday 7th May in Ballyhoura.
Following a short nature trail walk, the festival will kick off in the Deebert Hotel in Kilmallock at 7.30 p.m. with a talk by Irish writer, traveller and TV documentary maker Manchán Magan. He will tell wild and interestingstories about his 20 years travelling in Africa, India and South America, talk about sustainable eco-tourism in Ireland and give a global perspective on eco-tourism.
Then the walking festival will heat up, providing opportunities to explore some of
Ballyhoura Country’s stunning countryside guided by experts in local flora and fauna,
archaeology and history.
Saturday morning will see walkers take to the Galtee Mountains, a grade A walk for
experienced and fit walkers. This will be a charity event, the proceeds of which will go to
support local charity Liam’s Lifts which helps people in need of transport for
oncology appointments in Cork city.
Meanwhile lesser mortals will take to the tracks and trails for more moderate walks on a learning curve informed by local guides. For the more romantically minded there will be a singles walk along the Keale River from Darragh to Ballyorgan for people over 18, followed by guided night walks and a blue grass music session in Kilfinane, music to be provided by Pilgrim St and the Bootleggers.
Having listened to Manchán Magan talk about his adventures and about eco-tourism
on Friday night, on Sunday, people will be enthused at the prospect of a strenuous walk in the
Galtee mountains guided by members of The Earth’s Edge, Ireland’s only fully licenced adventure travel company. This walk will incorporate workshops/discussions on navigation,
steep ground, multi-day trekking, high altitude trekking and wilderness camping and cooking.
The Earth’s Edge specialise in organising adventure holidays and trekking, biking,
river and tri-adventure expeditions in 40 countries throughout the world. They organise
expeditions to Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Everest base camp and so on. For those
interested in hearing more, on Sunday evening in Coote Hall in Kilmallock the Earth’s Edge
guides will give an information talk. Free tickets for that information session can be booked
at https://eventbrite.ie/e/ballyhoura-international- walking-festival- earths-edgetalk- tickets-
44547960148.
On Sunday night the Church of Ireland will host a ‘Hikers’ Hooley’ ball with
traditional music provided by Kilfinane Comhaltas.
On Monday you can go on one of several moderate grade walks to finish up a great weekend.
To be sure not to miss any walk or event that would be of special interest to you, go to
http://visitballyhoura.com/index.php/home/ballyhoura-international- walking-festival- 2018/
and check out the brochure. There you will see the timetable and details of all the walks and
events that will take place over the bank holiday weekend. Alternatively, there are a limited
number of brochures for Ballyhoura International Walking Festival available in local shops.
Tickets are available for purchase on the above website and we would urge you to book
ahead so you are not disappointed as some events are selling fast and there are limited
spaces!!
More local news here.
