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Just a month to go until our Away Trip 2017… our Away Trips are the high light of our walking year and are legendary for not only the walking but also the craic !!! This year we are heading to Co. Mayo, taking the pilgrim trail to the summit of Croagh Patrick, which rises a majestic 762 m above sea level, and over looks the beautiful Clew Bay.

The dates are Friday 13th of October until Sunday 15th. Price is 200 euro which includes: bus, 2 nights B+B, evening meals on the Friday and Saturday as well as a packed lunch for our walk on the Saturday. This will be our second visit to Westport, as our very first Away Trip 6 years ago was spent here.

Our trip is open to all members and their partners, but only those who walk regularly with us and have been out on our more recent walks are allowed to walk…but in the beautiful setting of  Westport there will be plenty for non walkers to do.

All members are reminded that final payment is due this week.

We are in the Mournes this Sunday, 3rd of Septmeber. The Spelga Skyline Walk is one of the toughest we do taking in 6 peaks and covering around 12 km. We will have 2 Groups out a B and C both groups will be following the same route but B Group will be at a much quicker pace.

All walkers should meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub Jonesboro’ at 10 am for registration. We will be driving and parking at Spelga Dam. All walkers must have a waterproof jacket, walking boots and a packed lunch. We would not recommend this walk for beginners.

This year on the  weekend of 13th-15th  of October we have our Annual Away Trip, this year we are heading to  Croagh Patrick, over looking Clew Bay in Co. Mayo. The tradition of pilgrimage to this holy mountain stretches back over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day without interruption. Its religious significance dates back to the time of the pagans, when people are thought to have gathered here to celebrate the beginning of harvest season. It is one of the highest peaks in the West of Ireland, rising just over 750 metres (2,500 feet) into the sky above County Mayo. There are just a couple of places still remaining…so any member thinking of making the trip would need to get their names down and money paid asap!

Watch out for information about our “Night Walk”on Saturday 28th of  October, ending back in the Gap for a bit of a Hooley with a ghostly theme!!

Watchful eyes keeping an eye on us, as we scouted this Sunday’s walk!

We are on home turf, this Sunday 20th of August, the majestic Slieve Gullion… we will have 2 groups out, our B Group Walk, (our toughest), is  around 8 miles with 543 m of a height gain. They will start on the Mountain Road, taking the forestry path up past the “Gun Club”, and onto the scenic drive, then picking up the Famine Wall they will climb steeply… at this point on the Eastern side of the mountain there are spectacular views back across the valley towards Dundalk Bay. Picking up mountain paths B Group will visit both the South and North Cairns, and the King’s Table, before dropping down and picking up paths through the forest out onto the old, now disused Forestry Road, which they will follow back to their starting point.

C Group Walk will follow a similar route but slightly shortened and at a slower pace.

Both Groups will be out for around 4/ 4.5 hours, on mostly open hillside, at the moment it looks as if we will get wet weather but keep an eye on the forecast, this may change…(fingers crossed)… all walkers must have walking boots and a waterproof jacket. Bring a packed lunch. We would recommend gaiters and walking poles but these are not essential.

Meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough at 10 am for registration and car pooling.

Our Away Trip this year is the weekend of the 13-15 th of October. We are staying in Westport and climbing Croagh Patrick, on the Saturday. Cost is 200 Euros/person sharing, this includes: bus, 2 nights B+B, evening meals and a packed lunch on the day of the walk. Members please note that places are filling up fast and a 50 Euro (non refundable), deposit is required to secure a place.

Our next walk is Saturday 5th of August, when we will be taking to the coast for a change of scene. We’ll start in the Cranfield area, Co. Down, with a short walk and a visit to the 13th century Castle in Greencastle, then we’ll take the Carlingford Scenic Ferry across to Greenore and from there we walk to Lily Finnegan’s Pub for a few post walk drinks and a BBQ, before returning to the Gap O’ the North in Jonesborough.

Cost £20, which includes bus to and from starting/finishing points, Ferry and BBQ. There are places still available if anyone is interested, message us for more details, either through our email: info@gaponorth.co.uk or through our facebook page.

http://www.lilyfinnegans.com/

http://carlingfordferry.com

https://discovernorthernireland.com/Greencastle-Royal-Castle-Kilkeel-Newry-P2867/

Please note we are not walking on Sunday 6th of August