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Next Sunday, 4th of September we are walking in the beautiful Ring of Gullion. Our walk will take us from the Mountain Road, up past the Gun Club and along the path until we reach the Famine wall, (visible in the photo). We will then be following the wall up its steep ascent to the summit. We make our way across to the Southern Cairn, C Group will come down the Tourist Path, B’s will add in an extra section walking out to the King’s Table. Both groups will then loop, through forest and along deserted pathways which we haven’t walked before to bring us back to the cars. C walk is around 10.5 km, B slightly longer.

Both Groups will be walking on rough open hillside, so walking boots and a waterproof jacket are a must. Bring a packed lunch. We meet at 10 am in The Gap O’ the North Pub Jonesborough, we will car pool and drive the short distance to our starting point. This will be a 4+ hours walk.

New comers are always welcome, but must walk with our C Group for their first walk with us. If in doubt of the level of fitness needed, we suggest that if you can walk from the Courtyard at Slieve Gullion to the Summit following the road and then taking the Tourist path and back to the Courtyard in around 3 hours you are fit to walk with our C Group.

Our walk this Sunday 21st of August starts in the top car park at  Kilbroney. Heading through the woods up to the mast, then over to Knockshee taking in beautiful views of Carlingford Lough and  Greencastle for lunch. Heading back towards the mast and then to Cloughmore stone.
This is planned as a one group walk but can be extended around the Coast line for B’s or for the whole group if they are feeling up to it!
Heavy rain is due today and tomorrow meaning it will be wet underfoot but the forecast is suggesting that it will dry up for Sunday and it will be the best day of the weekend!!
Everyone should meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough at 10 am for registration and car pooling. Walkers must have walking boots, a waterproof jacket and a packed lunch as a minimum requirement, no jeans please they get wet and stay wet leading to cold and unhappy walkers.

Check out the link below for the story of Cloughmore…

http://carlingfordandmourne.com/myths-and-legends/finn-mccool-and-the-cloughmore-carlingford-and-rostrevor 

New walkers are always welcome, our walks are generally around 4 hours, on rough terrain so a moderate level of fitness is required to walk with even our lowest level group our C’s. As a  rough guide we suggest… if you can walk from the bottom carpark at Slieve Gullion Courtyard and to the cairn at the summit and back following the tourist path in around 3 hours, you should be fit enough to walk with our C Group.

For further information for new comers check out the FAQ section of our website… gaponorth.co.uk

We have a walk with a difference next Sunday 24th of July when we will be joined by Catherine Bertrand Senior Regional Officer with Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland. Whilst butterflies and moths are her specialty she is very knowledgeable on all things wild!

We are staying local for this one group walk which will begin and end at our base camp,  “Gap O’ the North Pub”, Jonesborough. Our Walk’s Leaders have developed a new walk taking in Feede and Faughil Mountains, walking parts we have never been on before, so one not to be missed!

Meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub for 10 am, all walkers must have walking boots, part of the route will take us onto open hillside on very rough ground, so be prepared.  The walk will take around 4 hours and all walkers should have a waterproof jacket and a packed lunch.

Any members who would like to set a moth trap the night before to have Catherine identify some of our local species here around the Ring of Gullion, let me know as I have some available for you to borrow.

Paula

This Sunday 10th of July we are heading to Slieve Donard, in the  Mournes, the highest peak in Northern Ireland, and an 850-metre climb to the summit…thetoughest walk we will have done in a while. We plan to have 2 groups out, both groups will be dropped by bus at our starting point at Bloody bridge and will be picked up again in Newcastle. Cost is £5/person and will be filled on a first come first served basis, on payment.

All walkers must be wearing walking boots and have with them a waterproof jacket. Bring a packed lunch, expect to be out for close to 5 hours and factor in an additional hour journey time to and from Newcastle. All walkers must meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub Jonesboro’ for 10 am we need to be away no later than 10.15 am, as it will be a long day…

Members please remember our trip to Rathlin Island is Saturday 25th of June…a fortnight away. All outstanding money must be paid this weekend please, total cost £65. We will be leaving Jonesborough at 7.15 am to catch the 10 am ferry across to the island. We are heading to the R.S.P.B. Seabird Centre, at the West Lighthouse by bus, the chicks should be hatched by then and it will be a lively spot! We are then walking out to the other side of the island, Roonivoolin. Our ferry back to the mainland is at 5.30 pm so we should have time to squeeze in a drink or two in the pub beforehand. Dinner is at 6.30 pm in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle.