Sunday September 27th;
I went west again for a couple of days in the stunning Cloghane area. The weather forecast was good for both days and I was determined to make the most of them before bad weather arrived on Tuesday. Not that the weather was great Sunday morning. A spell of heavy rain swept across the country in the morning so I didn't leave home until almost 11am. I wanted to get a couple of hikes in and do some fishing so the first order of business was to get some bait at Fermoyle. This and the late start meant it was after 1pm by the time I was ready to go for a walk. Time was therefore short. With that in mind I decided to head for An Starraicín. At just 458 metres high it is a hill of modest height that nevertheless presents a delightful profile when viewed from the road. I drove the few kilometres to the junction for Cloghane where there is parking for five or six cars. The trial starts just across the road and initially a good track becomes wet and boggy as you enter the stunning valley and get near Lough an Dúin. The waterfall beyond the lake was spectacular after the rain.
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| Lough an Dúin |
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| Starting out...Starraicin the low pointy bit ahead |
When I reached the lake I turned and climbed the steep ground until I reached the boggy shoulder the led more gently towards An Starraicìn. It was a wonderful and spectacular place to be. The cliffs of Sliev anea rose to the right above Lough Chom Callain. The area is proof positive that mountains don't have to be over 3000ft to be beautiful. Eventually I reached the steep arret that rose to the summit. Steep it certainly is but also quite short and before long I was on the airy little summit. A stiff breeze and a sudden squall of rain meant I didn't dally too long before setting off back down the way I'd come. I had hoped that I would have had time to do a loop walk but I was also anxious to get some fishing done. The return went well and I arrived back at the car just over 2 hours after setting off. Just 6.5 kilometres, 420 metres ascent and I loved every minute.
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| Summit views |
Monday September 28th;
I left the hostel in Cloghane and decided to forgo Mt Brandon and instead I headed towards home and opted to climb Benoskee. I parked at the forestry entrance by the junction for Castlegregory and I was on the move by 09.45. It was a pleasant morning to be out and about, no cold and light winds, but there was more cloud about and the tops were shrouded. The start is nice and easy as you walk three kilometres through the woods before emerging onto the open mountainside by some telecommunication masts. The views are a delight. The Brandon massif is of course wonderful and the long expanse of beach that sweeps all the way to the Maherees also draws the eye. In front, Benoskee and Stradbally soar above and promise a good workout before the summit delights can be enjoyed. The track quickly turns into a boggy trail that disappears altogether when you drop to cross a stream. A traverse of the hillside above some more forestry see you reach the northern spur of Benoskee.
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| Looking into Glanteenassig |
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| Lough Acummeen towards Brandon |
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| Looking east towards Caherconree |
A steep pull of 300 metres is required to reach the Lough Acummeen that sits under both peaks and another steep 200 metres is required to reach the airy summit at 826mtrs. The cloud had lifted and I was able to enjoy unencumber and wonderful views in every direction. The whole of the peninsula was mine to enjoy and I sat and enjoyed a bite to eat before continuing to the nearby top of Stradbally 798mtrs. I set off along the east ridge and enjoyed the beautiful views down into Glanteenassig. Normally I drop down fairly quickly to the north and make my way directly towards the masts but today I decided to stick to the ridge for longer and make it more of a loop to reach the masts. Everything went great until I was about 500 metres from the masts when I reached an horrendous section of long heather and gorse that started out quite easy but by the time I could exit near the masts was waist deep. Lets just say I was super glad I hadn't worn shorts. I won't be going that way again. A little chastened and with the legs well prickled I enjoyed the few kilometres back to the car. It had been a delightful outing (despite those thorny 500mtrs) and I was well pleased with my choice. The Dingle peninsula is truly a joy. I even managed to catch a few fish in my afternoon session at Derrymore.
14 kilometres covered, 900 metres ascent in 4 hours.
