Hill: Galtymore
Date: Monday 25th August 2014
Company: Myself, John and Derrick
Distance: 10.8km, Ascent: 900m
Time: 3Hrs 40Mins


The weather forecast for today was again strong winds and heavy rain. We therefore drove from Killarney to the border of Tipperary/Limerick for an ascent of Galtymore, again leaving McGillicuddy's Reeks for better weather. Galtymore is the lowest of the 3000ft Irish hills. To the East of Galtymore lies Galtybeg, today we would ascend both.

We opted to ascend Galtymore from the South via the 'Black Road'. There is parking for several cars near the road end.

Route undertaken:


The sign at the start of the walk advises, "strictly no dogs allowed". A short distance beyond a sign on a gate advises, "dogs will be shot if not on a lead." These signs do contradict each other however the message is fairly clear that dogs are not welcome on Galtymore.

Information signs at start of track:


Gate with sheep beyond:


It rained pretty-much constantly throughout the walk with only ten minutes respite out of three hours forty minutes.

Walking the Black Road to Galtymore:


The track from the South is excellent however today it resembled a stream.

Walking up the very wet track:


During the ascent up the track, I took a short diversion to have a look at a memorial. The memorial was very difficult to read as the script used is very elaborate. The memorial is dedicated to six airmen who died in September 1976.

Memorial:


We eventually reached the end of the Black road track at a height of circa 650m. We then took to the hillside towards Galtybeg.

Large cairn at the end of the Black Road track:


On reaching the summit of Galtybeg, we experienced strong winds as well as heavy rain. It was fairly unpleasant so we did not hang around.

At the summit of Galtybeg:


From Galtybeg we made our way across to Galtymore. The ground at the col was very wet and very eroded. Galtymore is in serious need of some path work.

Very wet ground at the col between Galtybeg and Galtymore:


On reaching the summit of Galtymore, I sat beside the cairn for a couple of minutes until John and Derrick arrived. We then all continued back down the hill without having a break at the summit.

At the summit of Galtymore:


John at the Galtymore trig point:


Derrick at the Galtymore trig point:


We took a different line of descent to avoid having to go back over Galtybeg. This involved skirting round the 657m hill to regain the Black Road track.

Descent back to the car:


Descent back to the car:


By the time we reached the car we were all completely soaked. On getting back to Killarney, I got soaked again thanks to being nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge. Thanks Steve!!!