Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Kayakgirl on March 28, 2012
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Anyone fancy doing a trip in August to Connemara to climb some of the Ben's? Could maybe take in the Mamturks and Croke Patrick.
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I''m up for this!!
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Awww Sham...did these a couple of years back (when I was fit) and they were AMAZING!!! Some cracker wee pubs to retiure to in the evening once you've finished walking too....
To be awkward already...early or late August? ???
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Dates permitting... And I know I'm an awkward sod to cater for, I would be keen on this too.
My free weekends in August would be:
3rd - 5th
17th - 19th
Nothing like a change of scenery :)
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The start of Aug looks good to me.. What about you HUD and Big E?
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Start of Aug is better for me as well....I have a wedding at some stage in the month (will check the date of that) and hopefully for Nevis end of August which is why the start suits better...
I can feel a plan coming along....!!!
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Camp or B & B?
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Camp or B & B?
CAMP :)
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Camp!!!! I can do w/e of 10-12 or w/e of 17-19
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Any dates are fine for me and camping sounds good too. Were you thinking of doing the walk over two days and camping half way round the range?
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Ok 17th to 19th then..
We could set up camp and just do day walks.. It's up to youse. What are your thoughts?
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Ok 17th to 19th then..
We could set up camp and just do day walks.. It's up to youse. What are your thoughts?
I'm happy either way, walk-camp-walk or base camp and day walks.
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I would love the idea of this. I couldn't commit yet but I'll be keeping an eye on the thread.
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Cool Whorya.. Sure I'll have a look at campsites and will keep you posted.
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first i've heard of theses hills (don't know much about anything outside the mournes really!) so did a wee google, are you thinking of doing them all in one day?
The Twelve Bens (sometimes called Twelve Pins) take in the many of the highest mountains in the West of Ireland. The Glencoaghan horseshoe, taking in six of the Bens, is one of the best known and most popular walks in Connemara. In contrast to the Wicklow mountains – which are mostly covered in raised bog and heather – the Connemara summits, and Twelve Bens in particular, are quite barren and rocky quartzite peaks.
Located just over an hours drive from Galway, the horseshoe can be walked in 7-9 hours. On a good day the hiker can get views north to Mweelrea and Achill, west to Clifden, east to the Maamturk Mountains and south towards Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.
The walk is not technically difficult, though anyone attempting it should be in good physical condition, as it is quite a strenuous undertaking. There are several vertical drops in the area and numerous opportunities for scrambles and rock climbs. Connemara tends to get quite an amount of mist and rain with consequent deterioration in visibility so a compass and map reading skills are essential when undertaking the trip.
here's a 2 day route plan http://raimondodibocco.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/12-bens.html
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gspjdz8QwtU/TgMU7X1avsI/AAAAAAAAEX8/wizOdaRsnZk/s1600/Twelve_Bens_-_Proposed_Route_map.jpg)
(http://www.askaboutireland.ie/_internal/gxml!0/2ocqn930ubywvi8z0wl9dhefnm6z926$tiraix994vrseoonlltuk9t0qbt54ao)
(http://www.elsteadmaps.co.uk/images/HAV092COV.jpg)
some reviews here
http://mountainviews.ie/summit/89/
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I misplaced my map of Connemara so bought one this afternoon in Cotswolds. I'm happy to do the horseshoe as I didn't get the chance to do it when I was down that way. I'll bring the map tomorrow night so we can take a look at what hills we fancy.
I stayed in Clifden but I'm sure there will be camp sites close by. Will check them out when I get to a puter.
It's up to the group.. I'm sure we could chose a route over a pint some night.. Lol
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The start of Aug looks good to me.. What about you HUD and Big E?
I'll be hiking in the Maamturks at the start of August, I'll keep an eye out for you!
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Hey Paul,
Where are you staying when your down there?
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Staying in a cottage in the Glenlosh valley (near Maam), it's private land but I'll be allowed to hike it and will try exploring the surrounding area
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Bought a book in Cotswolds for Galway/Clare and Mayo and the staff were kind enough to give me details on some camp sites. Will have a dander on their website and will post some details.
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Is this ireland or scotland that is being talked about ???
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Is this ireland or scotland that is being talked about ???
Ireland wolf, west coast, Connemara, some spot!
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Sweet, going to google Connemara now, thanks
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There's maps and info on the first page of this thread mate!
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Cheers spud, map skills :-[
I would not say im super fit to be honest.
729 metres (2,392 ft). Binn Bhan did i see that on the map ???
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It would be the size of Meelmore or Beg.. You'd be grand..
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It would be the size of Meelmore or Beg.. You'd be grand..
and then there is the other 12 of them :P
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True, lol..
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Would love to go, but ill have to see more near the time, is there a rough date ???
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17th to 19th but might do 16th to 19th to due to travelling down there.
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Hey all,
The campsite which is apparently the shiz is called Actons beachside camping.
The web address is www.actonsbeachsidecamping.com
The rates seem pretty reasonable.. Let me know what you think and I can check availability.
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17th to 19th but might do 16th to 19th to due to travelling down there.
April ???
Thats a cracking camp site BTW, living of the land comes to mind there. Bring the fishing rode and something very cool on the tred of the camp site.
This is green camping for the purist! Additionally, the eco-site boasts an excellent private supply of crystal clear, organic potable mineral water. Extracted from its sand bearing soil. The mineral water, in accordance with strict regulations is delivered to its points of use, throughout the campsite.
:) ;) :D ;D 8) :) ;) :D ;D :( :) ;) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :D ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) :) :) :) :) :) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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It's August..
Yeah the campsite looks awesome and I was thinking of bringing a fishing rod myself..
I was told by the girls at Cotswold that there is an Island that you can go out to when the tide is out and it's pretty spectactular.. Possible bivvi? An it is easy to walk back if the tide is in..
Even better is that there is no chance of being ate alive by midges!!
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Would love to do this. Any date would be fine for me, as by then I should have racked up some holiday time from work!
I'll keep an eye on this. :)
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Great find on the campsite - well done to you...looks awesome!!! Take some well deserved karma!
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What is the best way to get to Conemara by train ?
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What is the best way to get to Conemara by train ?
Belfast - Dublin and then Dublin - Galway. After that you're going to need a bus or to hitch. Don't know if you can get a bus direct from Belfast - Galway.
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What is the best way to get to Conemara by train ?
Where are you travelling from Wolf... I'm sure we will be car sharing for this one.
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Shall we organise a wee social evening to discuss said trip..
Possibly meet in Belfast if that suits everyone?
I am normally free Tuesday's and Friday's..
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Im coming from Glengromley.
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What is the best way to get to Conemara by train ?
Where are you travelling from Wolf... I'm sure we will be car sharing for this one.
Just a suggestion. Why not get a mini-bus, that way everyone's total expediture should come down travelling wise. We could all meet up in Belfast say?
Stole the idea from the Carrauntoohil Habitat for Humanity walk trip. ;D
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Any updates on whats happening with this amazing trip ????????
:) ;) :D ;D
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KG - I'm gonna have to quarterback sneak this....I've let myself get epically fat again and my fitness just wouldnt add up to this being any fun for me...once I get back to fightin weight again...I'll be in there like swimwear
:-[
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I'am hoping to do this trip if that's ok ???
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sounds pretty cool...count me in too, never been down hiking that end before.
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Yup it's still on.. Haven't had the chance to organise anything as I have been flat out with work. Mourneman I'm heading on my jollies on Mon.. Could you look into price of minibus and availability of the camp? Will be back 27th..
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Hi all,this sounds like great craic We stayed at Actons campsite last summer for 3 nights. its a really cool spot. theres plenty of choice for pitching, there was a good buzz about the place. a crackin sandy beach.Def bring your fishin gear. lots of fishing of the rocks to be had too.Only downside when we were there was ..there were only 2 or 3 loos,and showers for the entire site. maybe this is better now i dunno. Would def go back.Plus you have the bright lights of Clifden to blow some Euros near by too. 8) this was our pitch with our two tents :)
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I'm definately not available for this, as much as I would love to be. I came across this video though and it does look class down there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sRVv0pmIvY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sRVv0pmIvY)
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We could change the dates if it suits you better?
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Great video mate lol
High level of fittness :o
map reading skills, we need you along mate ;-)
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Sorry, kept meaning to pop back into the thread. Thanks for the offer of looking at the dates. Although I am busy on the provisonal dates, it isn't just that, I'll have had a few 2-3 day trips this year already so I couldn't justify the time for this, unfortunately. :(
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Regarding the dates for this, have they been set in stone, or are they still provisional? Just wanted to ask, so I can get the time off booked in work. In case I miss out as July has already been fully booked off.
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Is this still happening?
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Saying its next weekend I'm doubting it. Unless everyone can get time off work on short notice *heres hoping
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You going Oisin?
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I'd love to, but I don't think I could get off work this late notice.
Could set the date to a certain weekend in October Aragorn. ;)
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Sounds like a great idea :-)
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Realistically would we be sharing a car/minibus or getting the train or bus down.
I have a feeling it would work out roughly the same price either way.
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Sorry for not getting back to you on this.. I was hoping we could prospone this to an alternative date. ATM I'm not sure when as it depends on funds and employment. If you's want to work on a date I will know better after the 24th whether I can go or not.
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I've a wedding I go to that weekend so if it was prosponed I'd make the alternative date?
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Would a date that is set a few months in advance help at all? Plenty of time to get it off work or re arrange somethings.
I know some of our drier months can be a bit later in the Autumn.
A whole weekend at it? October - Friday 26th - Sunday 28th?
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As I suggested in another thread, could we possible use the forum calendar to post our availability? Or I can give people permission to post on the google cal I sent up not so long ago.