Monabrack, Knockaterriff, Lyracappul and Galtymor

Wednesday May 27th;

After the disappointing weather of the previous week Ireland was now enjoying record breaking temperatures of May. Just a week before I had "enjoyed" wind and rain and temperatures that struggled to reach the low double digits. Today the temperature was forecast to reach 31 degrees. What a contrast.

I wanted to get a decent round in so I parked in Kings Yard and decided to head in the glen under Monbrack and go from there to Knockaterriff and possibly even Temple Hill before heading to Lyreacappul and then along the ridge to Galtymor. Wow it was warm verging on hot when I left the car at 10.45. I was glad I had four litres of water in the bag. The walk into the glen is always a joy. It feels wild and you know that you are entering a different world. The 300 metre climb to the top of Monabrack looms above and once I was across the river (no footbridge anymore) I began the climb. Nice and steady was the mantra but I was pleased with my progress and before long the expanding views towards the Knockmealdowns provided ample reason to pause and drink some water. Eventually the broad top was reached and there was now a bit of a breeze to enjoy as well as the glorious views. I wasted no time in dropping into the deep glen under Knockaterriff and began the steep 200 metre climb. I was feeling good and it felt wonderful to be out in such glorious weather. 

Fine and lonely stand of trees

Galtymór a fair ways above Monabrack

I enjoyed a bite of lunch at the top and surveyed the route ahead. I decided that for today, in the heat, I would give Temple Hill a miss and instead head directly to Lyracappul. The normally super boggy stretch to the base of the climb was easy to cross today as things had dried out a lot in the few hot days we had had. I was also delighted with how I felt on the 200 metre climb to the 830 metre top. Lyracappul has I think the best views in the whole range. The views to the north, where the ground sweeps steeply down for 2000 feet to the farmland below is wonderful. I set off along the airy ridge and before long I reached the final climb of the day, the near 200 metre pull to the summit of Galtymór. I hadn't seen another person all day until until just below the top I was met three other hikers. From the summit cairn I turned and descended directly to the conjunction of three streams and then returned easily to the car. It had been a lovely outing. I had covered 17 kilometres, climbed 1200 metres in 5 hours 30 mins.