Singletons lace up their boots for Ballyhoura festival
SINGLETONS MAY WELL FIND A MATCH AS THEY WATCH THE BIRDS AND BEES ALONG THE TRAIL
THE Ballyhoura walking festival is looking for single men and women to kick start a conversation in a pub and then hop on a bus and take part in various walks.
The festival committee are looking for singletons from all over the country to take part and potentially meet their match while looking at the birds and the bees along the Keale river.
Over the May bank holiday, throngs of walkers are expected to descend on the many towns and villages of Ballyhoura country.
As the festival is now in its 24th year, they are expecting to attract walkers throughout the weekend from not just all over Ireland but also attract back many overseas visitors and friends.
The festival provides an opportunity to explore some of Ballyhoura’s stunning countryside in the company of guides from the Ballyhoura Bears walking club.
The Festival features a packed programme of walks for all abilities, from the enthusiastic well-equipped walker who relishes the challenge of the walks on the Saturday and Sunday morning, to the gentle ramblers who are out to enjoy pleasant guided walks in the company of local experts in the fields of heritage, archaeology, history, flora and fauna.
This year the big walk up the Galty mountains will be as a fundraising event for Carebright Dementia Hub.
Registration for Saturday and Sunday walks take place at the Kings Yard outside Mitchelstown and Murroe N.S from 9.30am with both walks starting at 10:00am.
The nature walk registration starts at 11.30am and this will be at the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Park giving people the opportunity to explore the tracks and trails of the Ballyhouras.
The facilities at the trail-head provide secure parking, toilets and shower facilities and also provide an opportunity for walkers to see the array of bike routes, trim trail and nature trail located here.
After the Galty Mountain Climb there will be a restorative yoga class held in Kilbehenny Community centre to ease weary muscles starting at 2pm.
This year the Festival line up on will include a range of walks including a new and exciting singles walk along the Keale River from Darragh to Ballyorgan, this is an over 18s walk as a drink or two may be consumed at the bars located at the start and end point.
This walk will also involve a bus transfer from Kilfinane , and there will also be a film screening of ‘Moon Walk’ at the Church of Ireland Kilfinan.
History and archaeological lovers will have plenty to keep them entertained at Lough Gur and at Donerail Park as well as historical walks in Kilfinane.
Pre registration is very important so please contact Reception at the Ballyhoura Offices, Kilfinane on 063-91300 or email reception@ballyhoura.org.