Silvermines Ramblers outing in Glown

Those who hillwalk throughout Ireland fall in love with our beautiful countryside.

In North Tipperary, that beautiful countryside is on the doorstep of all local hillwalkers in the Silvermines hills and valleys. Having served my time in these hills, I recently took out my boots and joined a group of around 70 walkers for an end of year outing on Saturday December 30th last, organised by the Silvermines Ramblers. This newly formed group successfully ran a local walking festival last July.

The after-Christmas walk was a great day out. In the spirit of rural camaraderie, it linked all age groups and at the same time collected voluntary subscriptions’ for the local hospice fund.

Ignoring the rain-filled sky, we set off on the chosen circuitous route that would take us down into the valley of Glown and back up to the carpark again. From the carpark at the Coillte map, we took the forestry road to the right through the barrier, walked the short distance to the next barrier, left again, and headed down through the forestry. As the road ahead of us fell away towards the valley, Keeper came into full view ahead, resplendent in its winter colours.

This trail as far as he next junction on the downward route forms part of the Knockinroe Loop Walk. At the junction we stopped briefly to keep ‘the troops’ together and noted that the loop walk branched upwards but we were continuing down to the valley below. Sadly, it was evident that some other group had left the ugly charred remains of a bonfire here.
It was an easy trek downhill. Emerging through the last barrier at the bottom, we re-grouped again as the schoolchildren passed around a tin of sweets.

We were out on the tarred road coming from Killoscully to Glenculloo. Now in the lovely valley of Glown with the Mulcair River on our right, we sallied forth at an even pace while taking in the special places of interest. An old limekiln was pointed out to us at the gated entrance to Glenculloo Lodge. Beyond the gate, the grassy drive curved in to the Lodge, which in a former life was a hunting lodge built in 1860s by the Power-Lalor family. In recent years, current owners, Roz and Roy Middleton, have lovingly restored the house.

Moving on we pass the entrance to ‘corkscrew road’ and soon cross the bridge to a view of the old schoolhouse attached to Clifford’s house in an idyllic setting. After the new bungalow, a lane to the right takes you up to Keeper Hill and the way to the historic Standing Stones. Thereafter the Harrington cluster of cottages display the gifted skills of local stonemason Patrick Harrington.

Onwards round the winding valley road, with the river now on our left, we cross the bridge and take another short break, in preparation for the uphill trek. More sweets and this time some words of wisdom served out in poetic lines by local walker William Moloney.

The rutted lane had a steep incline that slowed our pace, nevertheless we safely arrived on the familiar route known locally as ‘Harrington’s Lane’, and from there we were back up to the carpark at the top in ‘jig time’.

Well done to Donal, Helen, and the Silvermines Ramblers for organising this thoroughly enjoyable walk on the after-Christmas days when the fresh mountain air and exercise is so very welcome. €800 was the generous contribution to the local Hospice fund.

 

By Betty Gleeson