Tenth annual Upperchurch Walking Weekend
November 6th, 7th and 8th with a packed programme including ten walks, three cycles, a book launch, set dancing, musical entertainment, indoor climbing, card games and above all the opportunity to meet old and new friends in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
The event has grown in popularity year by year and a large number of visitors from all parts of Ireland and overseas is expected. Cyclists, musicians singers and dancers all add to the colourful scenes. The combination of outdoor fun, sense of history, scenery, music, dancing, and the famous Upperchurch stew, creates a unique atmosphere that visitors really appreciate.
Full details are available at www.upperchurch.ie, including brochure. For enquiries phone 0504 54443 (10am to 2pm weekdays or 086 0518934 at other times). Thanks to all helpers and especially the landowners for their co-operation.
List of walks:
1. Friday 7.30pm: Garnakilka-Glown road walk. 10km. Testing walk.
2. Friday 7.45pm: Gortkelly-Moher road walk. 7km. A few easy hills.
3. Saturday 10am: Hills of Upperchurch walk. 18km. For very fit experienced walkers with some steep climbs.
4. Saturday 12.15pm: Red Hugh and Knockalough walks. 6km and 10km. A number of options for walkers of average fitness.
5 and 6: Saturday and Sunday 12.30pm: Eamon an Chnoic Loop. 8km. The most popular local walk.
The above walks all start from Upperchurch village.
7. Saturday 12 noon: Birchill Nature Trail. 8km. Start PJ Ryan's pub, Rosmult, on Thurles - Upperchurch road. An easy lowland walk through farmland and woodland. Waterproof footwear advised. Note change of day from previous years.
8. Sunday 11am: Hollyford - Red Hill walk. 18km with 14km option. Start Hollyford Village. Long walk mainly on forest tracks. Excellent views. Visits Eamon an Chnoic's hideout and burial place.
9. Sunday 11am: Farney Castle to Upperchurch walk. 15km. Start Farney Castle 12km east of Upperchurch on Holycross to Ballycahill road. Easy but longish walk on mix of road, field, forest and farm roadway. Free return transport. Tours of Farney Castle at 10am and 10.30am. €5 extra. Highly recommended.
10. Sunday 12noon: Drombane to Upperchurch walk. 12km. Start Drombane GAA grounds. A mixture of laneways, fields and roads. Route goes over top of Knockalough mountain. Free return transport.
Other events:
Friday 9pm: Upperchurch Hall. Reception and official opening.
Friday 10pm: Kinnane's. Seisiún Mór.
Saturday 4pm: Oliver Ryan's. Set dancing lessons.
Saturday 8pm: Upperchurch Hall. Launch of 2015 Upperchurch-Drombane Historical Journal. Talk and discussion on the history of local emigration.
Saturday 10pm: Jim O'The Mills. Traditional music.
Sunday 12noon: 25km, 50km and 75km cycles starting Upperchurch.
Sunday 6.30pm: Kinnane's. Poker classic in aid of Upperchurch-Drombane Development Association. Note earlier starting time.
Upper Limits Climbing Wall will be open for 20 minutes prior to each walk. Short introductory climbs €2. Clean footwear please.
Don't forget the Christmas Night Hike on Sunday December 20th starting at 6.30pm.