2007-08-24 13:21:34
Mea Culpa
I'd like to apologise to the Sheefries, they've given me a lot of fun over the years. It's just I've only ever gone up them because they're there, not from that seductive feeling when you reach a summit and see further hills and know you've got to get there. The Sheefries have just been convenient but I'd still recommend them. P D Tempan says the hills have lost their names because they've lost their people. Ireland has always seemed heavily populated to me and I remember people saving the hay in the 60s fairly far up the glen from Durlass on the North side of the hills. There's still a working farm where the back road splits off at Doo Lough - maybe we should just go and ask. Mountain names are fascinating. I'm still looking to meet PD's challenge to find a Carraun in Scotland. And here we have the usual mixture of the beautiful, Eididh nan Clach Geala - the web of the white stones, the bland, three principal summits in Glen Roy are all called Carn Dearg, and the disgusting, Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain - the upland of the corrie of the little round blisters.
2007-08-17 18:23:59
Mountain Names in Mayo
Writing on Tievnabinnia in 2003, Wee Davie remarked "None of the summits on the ridge are named on the OS - but I've visited the grid references." In 2005 Milo commented "Top naming is interesting hereabouts. Whence was it obtained?" and Wee Davie asked the same question a week ago. As I've had a hand in providing some place-name information for MV, I'll have a go at answering this question. I understand that the name Tievnabinnia was taken from Claude Wall's 'Mountaineering in Ireland' (1930) and that Tievummera was taken from the old 1 inch map. As Wee Davie pointed out, none of the Sheeffry Hills are named on the Discovery map. In fact, the problem of unnamed summits is particularly noticeable in Co. Mayo, probably due to depopulation. It is very noticeable in other areas of the county, such as the Nephin Beg range. There were probably relatively few people for the Ordnance Survey to consult on hill-names in Mayo even when they were making the original 6" maps back in the pre-Famine 1830s and 1840s. The subsequent revisions, which were responsible for filling in many of the minor names in most areas, were carried out after the Famine, so there were far fewer people to ask at that stage. If anybody knows of any names we have missed or sources which they think we should consult, I would be very interested to know. Incidentally, Tievnabinnia is a curious name which occurs in two other places in the locality, once in Tonatleva townland on the slopes of Mweelrea, and once as a townland on the N. slopes of Ben Creggan (spelt Teevnabinnia in both cases). It comes from the Irish Taobh na Binne and means 'side of the cliff' (Breandán S. Mac Aodha - "Minor Names in an Irish Mountain Area", Studia Celtica xxiv/xxv, p. 146). The other name, Tievummera, appears to be from Taobh Iomaire, 'side of (the) ridge'. Glenummera is a townland in the vicinity. Wee Davie found the views more inspiring than the Sheefry Hills themselves and I would accept that the matter-of-fact names are not particularly inspired or inspiring either.2007-08-06 16:37:29
AS THE CRA FLIES
Can you count to seven? One, two, three, four, five, five-and-a-bit, five-and-another-bit, five-and-still-another-bit, six, seven. At least that’s the way it goes when Cra does the Mournes Seven Sevens. A fortnight’s route planning was knocked on the head by the Start Official. Apparently my way was “no way”. And so muttering beneath my breath, I blended into the ribbon of wiser walkers ascending the Glen River, thrashed four of the seven in a trice and set to slipstreaming one of the hardest hard nuts from the Wee Binnians. Our ways parted at the top of Meelbeg and next time I saw him was across the glen. Why across the glen? Because I was going the wrong way. Whoops went the Blue Peter Navigation Badge and the finishing time. MacBeth said something about being “o’er far doon the road that gan back was worse than gan on” (wonder why Shakespeare never used the vernacular) and so with Caledonian stoicism (rage) I pushed on and knocked the BJ out of a desperate bog ‘n heather yomp on the lip of Lough Shannagh - the lighter side of which was 2 buffoons litting out after me, convinced I knew something they didn’t. I think one of them is still out there. Which goes to show that just because a man is moving, doesn’t mean he is going anywhere. To compound things, I took a madman’s route up Binnian - at 1500’ I thought I was going to die; at least it’s what I hoped. No 7, Lamagan and entirely minging circuits of Cove and Beag were a nauseous nightmare with only 1st gear left for going up. I hit the tarmac and the stopwatch at 9hours 17mins.”Where did you get to?” “It’s a long story. Read about it in mountainviews.”2007-07-23 20:17:53
Reviewers wanted.
Joss Lynam is looking for reviewers for Mountain Log (magazine of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland) for a book or books about:Chamonix-Zermatt - the Haute Route
Bavarian Alps - walking
Montenegro
Nevis & Glencoe - walking
Some previous knowledge of the area is necessary!
You don't get to keep the book - it goes into the MCI Library
You don't have to be an MCI member!
contact him at jossl@eircom.net
Joss is also interested to hear from anyone interested in doing review
for the Log, quoting areas or interests about which they have
knowledge.
2007-07-23 11:05:40
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| JCC Walkers (Expand pics) |
Joyce Country Challenge- Report
The Joyce Country Challenge - (Dúshlán Dúiche Sheoige)The inaugural Joyce Country Challenge was held on Saturday July21st. After months of careful planning by the Lake District Hillwalking club, the day finally arrived. It started fine and dry, with the hills around Lough Na Fooey reflected in the lake like some alpine postcard, and the early mist adding to the sense of tranquillity.
The organisers quickly registered the early starters for the challenge walk, the first ones leaving Finney Community Centre at 06:30. There was strong local support with many of the entrants having addresses in the locality. There were also entrants from Galway and some doughty Dublin campaigners. 19 entrants started the challenge, with 17 finishing.
The first person home on the Joyce Country Challenge was named appropriately enough David Joyce at 11:30, in a time of 5 hours. Local knowledge may have been of some help, but fitness and determination did the rest.
The refreshment stop at Ail Dubh proved too tempting for many, being more like a bistro than a pit stop. Comfortable seating combined with a varied menu made it a most enjoyable oasis before the ascent around Lough Na Fooey and back to the start.
There was a great atmosphere and sense of achievement as in the Finney centre at the end of the walk, as colourful certificates with a picture background of the area were presented to all.
The B walk had 14 entrants. This was a guided walk at road level around Lough Na Fooey, taking in the refreshment stand at Ail Dubh. The streams and waterfalls were in full flow due to the recent rains and the area was busy with bus loads of tourists taking pictures and probably envying the walkers who were getting the best deal of all.
The day raised in excess of €1000 for the Galway/Mayo hospice fund. The organisers will review the day and will no doubt add improvements to next year’s event.
2007-07-23 09:08:13
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| Elbrus (Expand pics) |
Greene makes Elbrus
Are notices of mere parochial interest to be omitted from this national site? It is simply that I wish to confirm that Eddie Greene of Drogheda has sent me a text from Elbrus to confirm his successful arrival at the summit. Eddie has often walked and travelled with the Navan Trekkers and is a wonderful enthusiast, and we share his joy. Here's to you Eddie!2007-07-22 08:47:17
Joyce Country Challenge
As a native who enjoys my visite home I have to Say well done to Lake District Hillwalkers for putting this walk on the calender.Blessed with good weather yesterday the Views of all the Neighbouring Mt ranges and lakes puts this up there with the best.It is definitely a hidden gemAnd the way we were looked after was first class .Well done All
My advise get there in 08
2007-07-18 18:59:02
Leenane Bridge
Connemara motorists facing 110km diversionsWednesday, 18 July 2007 19:43
There are widespread traffic diversions in Connemara following the collapse of a bridge in the centre of Leenane.
Motorists are being warned that they now face diversions of over 110km.
The century old stone arched bridge on the main Clifden to Westport road collapsed shortly before 5pm.
Galway County Council says one of the arches was swept away following three hours of torrential rain; the second arch collapsed a short time later.
The N59 road through the village is now closed.
Local residents say it is a miracle that nobody was injured by the collapse.
The road is one of the busiest in west Galway and carries a very large volume of tourist traffic.
The council says it will be examining the possibility of a temporary bridge but this could take a considerable time to put in place.
Story from RTÉ News:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0718/connemara.html
2007-07-17 15:03:51
WW2 Plane Sites
There are remains of an American Marauder wreck on the SE side of Chimney Rock Mountain, some wreckage of a Mosquito on the S side of Commedagh around the back castles and a Wellington crashed in the Pot of Legawherry on the N side. Not much remains at any of these sites but some recognizable pieces can be found.2007-07-11 20:53:26
WW2 Plane sites
Hi Graniteface, I remember reading somewhere that several planes crashed in the Mournes, including on Sl Commedagh. Never noticed any bits when I've been up there though! You've probably already heard about the one that crashed on Cave Hill that's being turned into a film?
