Author: admin

Sadly for the first time ever we have cancelled 2 consecutive walks due to weather conditions, we hope that Spring has finally arrived and we are back to hill walking… however there are changes to our normal routines for a number of walks as follows.

Easter Weekend Walk: Our next walk was due to fall on Easter Sunday, so as always when this happens, we are walking on the Easter Monday instead, Monday 2nd of April, more details of the route to follow but we will meet in the usual place, Gap O’ The North Pub, Jonesborough, at the usual time 10 am.

Knockshee Walk: Sunday 15th of April, we will be walking Knockshee, Kilbroney. For this walk we will meet at 10 am at the Gap as usual.

Boyne Valley Walk : On the subsequent walking weekend, we have an Away Trip organised, to the Boyne Valley, so we will be walking on Saturday 28th of April instead of the Sunday of that weekend.

Places are available if you would like to join us, details are: leaving Jonesborough by bus around 9.30 am, travelling to Oldbridge, where we have an hour’s long, guided tour of Oldbridge House, followed by a 4 hour walk (approx) lead by one of our own Gap leaders, then we adjourn to The Glyde Inn, Annagasson for drinks and a bite to eat, we will leave for home around 8 pm.

Cost is 30 euros, which includes bus, tour of Oldbridge and choice from a prearranged set menu in the Glyde Inn. The walk is predominately on the flat, with options for the less experienced walker to drop back and enjoy the gardens and coffee shop at Oldbridge House whilst others take the longer option. If you are interested payment must be made in full, before the day and bus will be filled on “a first come, first served” basis. 

The usual conditions for walking with us apply, you will need walking boots and a waterproof jacket. Bring a drink and a packed lunch. If interested get in touch with us through our email or send us a message through our Facebook page.

Members please note: Membership is now due: it remains at £20 or 25 Euros. 

Our walk this Sunday, 18th of March will take us past the site of the worst WW2 air crash, in terms of loss of life, on Irish soil. 15 of the 19 Allied Air-force crew on board perished. It occurred on the 16th of March 1942, when an American-built B24 bomber on its way from North Africa, to Dorset, England, crashed on Annaloughan in the Cooley Mountains, due to bad weather conditions. 
Not all of the bodies were repatriated for burial, the Australians and the New Zealander on board were buried in Belfast City Cemetery and two of the Canadians were interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newry. 

If you are interested in joining us, on this poignant walk and visit the site almost 76 years to the day after the event, then meet us at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough at 10 am on Sunday. We will have 2 Groups out, with variations in pace and distance. All walkers must have walking boots and a waterproof jacket, bring a packed lunch. Expect to be out on open hillside for 4/4+ hours and in possibly cold and wet conditions, so wrap up well, layers are best, no jeans.

Members please note I will be taking 30 Euro deposit, for the upcoming Boyne Valley Walk, scheduled for Saturday 28th of April, bus will be filled on a first come first served basis.

Thanks Paula

The evenings are lengthening and the mornings brightening so it’s time to get serious with that New Year resolution about getting fit, or fitter and join our motley crew!

To get you started you could try out our first walk of the New Year this Sunday, 7th of January, it is a local Ring of Gullion Walk, Sugar Loaf Mountain, one we haven’t done in a couple of years. We meet at 10 am in the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesboro’ for registration and a safety briefing. Your first walk with us is free, then if you wish to join, membership is £20 or 25 euros for the year with membership running from the first of April to the end of March. 

Here are a few pointers to get you started…

Fitness- As a baseline if you can walk from the Courtyard Car Park, to the Cairn at the top of Slieve Gullion and back within 3 hours you could comfortably walk with our C Group. So if you’re more “couch potato” than “super athlete” you will have to put in some personal effort to attain the necessary level of fitness before walking with our B or C Groups.

Kit- From the outset get used to carrying a rucksack. We recommend one with a waist strap as this helps distribute the weight on your hips rather than pulling on your shoulders and back. You should be carrying: a personal 1^st aid kit with the basics- plasters, blister patches, headache tablets etc., a whistle and head torch, a dry layer of warm clothing, and at all times of the year, even Summer, a hat and gloves. In addition always carry food, a hot drink and water, it takes only the slightest mishap to turn a gentle 3-4 hour walk into a mammoth 6-8 hour hike!

The following are non-negotiable:

Boots- deep tread walking boots, these protect and support the ankles from sprains and breaks

Jacket– a proper outdoors water/wind proof jacket- all jackets designed for outdoor activities carry a rating for precipitation, anything with a rating over 10,000 is the ideal.

Clothing– layers of clothing is best, avoid cotton and denim as they get wet and stay wet. Most outdoors wear is made with quick drying properties.

Optional Extras:

Walking poles– poles take the pressure of the knees, the most common problem for avid hill walkers is bad knees!

Gaiters- these clip onto your boots and cover the lower leg, thus keeping feet and trouser bottoms dry when you are crossing streams or as invariably happens, step into a bog hole!

Our leaders and members are always happy to share their experience and advise new walkers on fitness and equipment, alternatively check out the F.A.Q. section of our website-www.gaponorth.co.uk for more information. Good luck with the training regime and we look forward to welcoming you on one of our Walks!