Thank you to the Fire Fighters

Members of the firecrew pictured today with Club members. Thanks guys for saving our precious hills.

Here at The Gap O’ the North we are missing hiking the beautiful hills in the Ring of Gullion and futher afield and we have been saddened by the gorse fires over the past days and weeks. Our local Newry fire squad have been busy tackling the fires and we are so appreciative of all the hard work the firecrews have been doing to protect our precious hills. Today as a show of apprectiation from all at The Gap O’ the North we treated them to lunch, we hope they enjoyed!

Important Club Update

Hi Guys,
As we are all aware public events are being curtailed at the moment as a prevention measure to curtail the spread of the Coruna Virus. After much deliberation the Committee have decided to cancel this weekends events.  That is the ‘Get into Hillwalking’ event which was organised in conjunction with Slieve Gullion AONB on Saturday, the walk on Feede mountain this Sunday, and our AGM to follow.  The committee looked at various options, such as meeting outside the Gap o the North pub to prevent close proximity of members and allotment of safety equipment there. It has been decided to cancel this walk.
It has also been decided to postpone our AGM as this would not allow for the recommended practice of social distancing. We will communicate new date for this in time.
Members may, if they wish organise a walk independently of the club on Sunday themselves, in smaller groups.
As a committee we realise our membership will be disappointed with these actions, as are we but we see this as the most responsible course of action to take. ‘Prevent and protect each other’.

AGM

Club Members,

Please note our Annual General Meeting (AGM), takes place this Sunday, 15th of March,  after our walk (approx.@ 3.30 pm). It is open to all fully, paid up members for this outgoing year 2019/20.

I feel that it is important in this the year in which we will celebrate our 10th anniversary, that as many of our Members are in attendance as possible. It is an opportunity for members to catch up and for the out going Committee to report back to you, on the past year. I would also like to have the opportunity to inform/discuss with you some of the exciting ideas which have been put forward to mark this our 10th year.

I would like that all Members have the opportunity to have an input into the AGM, but in the interests of fairness and time, there is a protocol to follow, please refer to the Club’s website page www.gaponorth.co.uk in particular the section outlining the Club’s constitution and the agreed procedures and protocol with regards to the AGM.

I’m  looking forward to catching up with and speaking to you all on Sunday,

Thanks,

Sean – (Chairperson)

Annaloughan Walk Sun 1st March

Our walk this Sunday, 1th 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 then meet us at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough at 10 am on Sunday. We will have 2 Groups out both taking in the peaks of Annaloughan and the fantastic view over Dundalk bay. All walkers must have walking boots and a waterproof jacket, bring a packed lunch. Expect to be out on open hillside for 4 hours and in very cold and challenging conditions, so wrap up well, be sure to take an extra layer or two, and take the sticks.  As always looking forward to the challenge!

Mournes Walk Sun 16th Feb.

Hi!  anyone not booked on the bus tomorrow will not be able to go as the bus is full 😀. Due to the high winds we will be staying lower down than normal. But expect equally beautiful views ⛰⛰⛰.  See you at 10am Gap o’the North Pub Jonesborough.

This is a good time to remind everybody of what you must have to walk with our club.

It will most likely still be very windy and cold so you must have the following gear:

 Must Have

  • Fully water proof and breathable coat
  • Warm layers of clothing (no cotton)
  • Proper Mountain boots with a good deep tread
  • Suitable walking trousers, definitely no jeans.
  • Warm Hat
  • Gloves or Mits
  • Extra layers of warm clothing , fleece for example in your bag
  • Lunch and a flask of hot drink.
  • Bottle of water
  • Rucksack to carry it all in with either individual dry bags or a big plastic bag liner inside keeping everything dry. Highly Recommended
  • Gaiters and Walking sticks strongly recommended.
  • Water proof and wind proof over trousers strongly recommended
  • Buff
  • A sit-mat, for the lunch stop.