Local walkers in Kostal Black Valley charity hike

A group of 48 hikers recently set out from Lough Acoose, Glencar, on a 26-kilometre hike through the foothills of Ireland's highest mountain in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.

It proved to be a challenging day for many participants with some strong gusts of wind, a few heavy showers of rain with slippery conditions under foot with torrents of water cascading down from the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Aidan Dillon was the hike leader, supported by Pat Delaney, Mary Clohessy, Mary Mackey and Willie Keane, all members of the Nenagh walking club, Aonach ar Siúl.

Back at Kate Kearney's cottage after an exhilarating day's hike, Pat Falvey, the renowned mountaineer greeted us all, where we enjoyed the best of Irish hospitality. There was a great sense of achievement and joy among the group in completing this exciting Kostal Black Valley hike, raising funds for the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Tanzanian water project.

Thanks to Kerry Civil Defence for their great help in ensuring participants got back safely to our base, at Kate Kearney's cottage in the Gap of Dunloe. Many thanks to all who supported our efforts; €16,500 has been raised to date for the Medical Missionaries of Mary water harvesting project in the remote area of Matangarimo, Nangwa, Tanzania.