Club walk Sunday 17th December 2023

Explore the byways of Killoran/Mullagh, 2/3 hours road walk, meet at 'The Spining Wheel' H53 HP90 at 09:30. Bring a high vis.  Leader: Jim C. 

Rosway Christmas outing

Some of the Rosway Walkers enjoying the Christmas day out yesterday. Pic: C. Dolphin
 

 

Fundraiser

Volunteers needed for help with bucket collection in aid of Galway Hospice and Ballinasloe Social Services on Friday December 8th. 

Please contact roswaywalkers@gmail.com for further information.

Rosway Christmas outing

The next Club walk is our Christmas outing on Sunday December 3rd. There is a choice of 13km or gentler 9km walks on the Caher Valley loop near Fanore, Co. Clare. Three-course meal afterwards at The Village Inn, Kilchreest. €30 per person. Please text your name to 087 2311507 if going by this Friday 24th November, as we need to know numbers for bus and meal.

Club walk Sunday 19th November 2023

Easy 2 hour local walk starting from Gullane's car park at 10am sharp. Boots or trail shoes required, bit muddy in places. Leader: Liam Roche.

Walking Calendar 2023/2024

 Link here to walking calendar for 2023/2024.  Please note that it is subject to change. 

Scotland Trip May/June 2024

For the attention of members who could not attend the trip information evening or the AGM. If you require further information with regard to the forthcoming trip, we propose to upload the relevant details to a dedicated WhatsApp group.

If you wish to be included in the WhatsApp group, please text John McDonagh or Brendan Fahy.

Club walk Sunday 12th November 2023

Club walk Sunday 12th Nov. Meet at Aughrim Interpretive Centre car park at 9.30am. Easy 10km road walk. High vis jackets advised. Leader Claire Dolphin.

AGM 2023

The AGM was held last Thursday night, 2nd November in Gullane's. The following members were elected to the Committee for 2024:

Chairperson: Claire Dolphin 

Secretary: Jim Curley 

Treasurer: John McDonagh 

Assistant Treasurer: Geraldine Lohan

PRO: Geraldine Quinn

Environmental Officer: Bríd Lyons 

Training Officer: Liam Kenny 

Liaison Officer: Brid Barrett. 

The planning meeting was held immediately afterwards. The calendar will be available online shortly (on this blog) and posted out to members with the membership cards over the next few weeks.

Club walk Sunday 5th November 2023

Looped walk, Slieve Bloom mountains. Meet Gullane's car park, departing at 9am or Monicknew trail head car park at 10.15am.  Distance 7kms/2.5 hours approx. Bring gear, snacks, etc. NB Boots only as ground currently saturated. Leader: F. Maguire.

AGM and Planning Meeting

Rosway Walkers AGM will take place in Gullane's on Thursday, 2nd November, at 8pm. The walks planning meeting  will take place immediately afterwards. All members are encouraged to attend.

Proposed Scotland Trip 2024

 John McDonagh and Brendan Fahy will host an information evening regarding a proposed Rosway Club outing to Scotland May/June 2024. Duration 6 days. A and B walks , bus provided. 

Meeting in Gullane's Hotel October 25th @8pm. 

All welcome . 

Club Registration Night Thursday 19th October 2023

Registration is now open for new and existing members for the new walking year. Membership fee (€50) will be collected in Gullane's on Thursday 19th October between 8 and 9pm. Membership fee includes basic insurance and membership of Mountaineering Ireland. The Club registration form, which must be completed, can be accessed here and forms will also be available on the night. It is possible to pay by EFT (information on Registration Form) but please remember to include your name when paying. 

We kindly ask that people do not leave money/forms for collection with the hotel. 

The Club is open to over 18s only. 

Club walk Sunday 15th October 2023

Sunday 15th October. Easy 2 hour town and river walk including new Greenway pedestrian bridge in Athlone. Starting from Golden Island shopping centre at 10am sharp. Trail shoes ok. Leader: Liam Roche. Coffee and cake 🎂 after walk. 

The scheduled Ballinamore Bridge to Clonbrock walk will now take place on Sunday, 22nd October. Details of this walk will be sent out next week.

Club walk Sunday 1st October 2023

Canal walk - Ballymahon to Longford. 20km approx/5 hours. Car pooling from Dolan's Service station, Creagh at 09:30. Bring wet gear, boots and lunch. €5 for bus. Leader: Jim C. 

Club walk Sunday 24th September

 Due to poor weather forecast, the walk on Nephin has been cancelled. Apologies for inconvenience. 

Club walk Sunday 17th September 2023

The Nephin walk scheduled for this coming Sunday has been postponed until the following Sunday, 24th September. Details will be sent out by text next week. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

Membership 2023/2024

Advance notice that the Rosway Walkers Membership/Registration night will take place between 8 and 9pm on Thursday, 19th October 2023 in Gullane's Hotel, Ballinasloe. Membership is €50 for the year and includes basic insurance and membership of Mountaineering Ireland. It's best to show up in person on the night, as a membership form has to be completed. If any queries, please contact Club Secretary on 087 2250793 (evenings only) or email roswaywalkers@gmail.com.

Rosway Walkers on Inis Meáin earlier this year

Club walk Sunday September 3rd 2023

Upperchurch Co. Tipperary (note change to schedule). Easy/moderate 8km walk on minor roads and farmland. Wet and muddy in places, so walking boots needed. Meet Gullane's carpark at 9am sharp to carpool or Mulrooney's Inver service station, Nenagh at 10am to travel on to start of walk.

Leader: Claire Dolphin 

Charity walk for Galway Hospice

 

Charity walk in aid of Galway Hospice in Killimor on Sunday 3rd Sept. Details in pic. Please support if you can.

Three Provinces charity walk

Although not a Club walk, members might be interested in the Three Provinces walk being held next Sunday 30th July. It's a fundraiser for local camogie, hurling and soccer clubs in Killimor, as well as a sports and recreation group.

Cost €20 per participant. Walk starts at Lusmagh Church, Co. Offaly, crosses the Shannon in Meelick and finishes in Portland, Co. Tipperary. 18kms approx/5hours. Start time 12.30pm.

Register here

Club walk Sunday 16th July 2023

Wicklow Way, from Glendalough to Glenmalure, 4.5 - 5hrs duration. Moderate walk. Depart Gullane"s car park at 7.45am. Bring rain gear, boots & packed lunch. Names needed before 1pm on Thurs to book a seat on the bus. Walk leader: F. Leahy.

Club walk Sunday 2nd July 2023

In a change to schedule, this week's walk will be the Croagh Patrick traverse, from Belclare Bridge to Lecanvy. 11km and 1000mtrs accumulated height gain. Reasonable level of fitness required. Full mountain gear & lunch. Meet Gullane's car park at 8am or Murrisk car park at 10.15am. Leader: L Roche.

An alternative walk will be scheduled for 16th July.

Inis Meáin pics

Fantastic day out yesterday and huge thanks due to Brid and Ger for organising. Selection of pics over on our Instagram page @roswaywalkers. Pic above compiled by Club member Deirdre Boyle.

Achill weekend away

Final payment for Achill Island weekend will be collected in Gullanes on Wed 28th June @ 8pm. Cost is €150 per person sharing. For members opting for a single room, a €160 supplement applies. When paying by cash, please have the exact amount on the night. 

Club walk Sunday June 25th

INIS MEÁIN Car pool from Gullanes at 07.15 or meet Rossaveel at 09.45 for ferry sailing at 10.30. Easy/moderate walk approx. 10-12 km. Walking shoes/runners OK. First break 1 hr into walk. 

Cost of ferry €30 pp. Free for people with travel passes, but you must book a ticket in advance yourself on 091-568903. 

Refreshments en route at Centra in Spiddal or Póta nearer to Rossaveel.

Numbers needed to reserve places on ferry by Wed next. Leaders: Ger Quinn and Brid Barrett 

Update and pics

Phone back up and running. Hopefully there won't be any further issues.

Photos from Ballycastle/Rathlin wweekendare now uploaded on our Instagram page @roswaywalkers.

Important message for members

 We are having a number of problems with the Club phone, which the Club secretary is trying to resolve. Please bear with us. For anything urgent, email us at roswaywalkers@gmail.com or contact Fiona on her own number.

Updates will be posted her on the blog and on the Club Instagram page @roswaywalkers.

Club walk Sunday 21st May 2023

 Sunday 21st May: In a change to schedule, this week's walk will take place in Slieve Blooms. Meet car park beside Dempsey''s pub in Cadamstown at 10am. Duration: 2.5 hours approx. Boots advised. Leader: Fiona Maguire. The scheduled Sugar Loaf walk will take place in September instead. Apologies for the inconvenience. 

Club walk Wednesday 10th May 2023

Annual Cuckoo Walk, Glantaun Bog. Meet Dolan's Garage, Birchgrove at 7pm. Duration: 1.5 hours approx. Boots recommended, bird seed optional. Leader: Brid Lyons.

Club walk Sunday 7th May 2023

Sunday 7th May. Easy 11km woodland and lake walk in Emo  Court, Co. Laois. Boots or trail shoes required. Tea/coffee/ lunch all available in Emo Court. Car pool from Gullanes at 9am sharp or meet at Emo Court car park at 10.15am. Leader: Liam Roche

Experience Ballinasloe tourism initiative -volunteers needed

Volunteers needed to act as stewards on sections of a guided walk along the Hymany Way/Beara Breifne Way as part of the Experience Ballinasloe tourism initiave on Saturday 27th May. See link below or contact Brid Lyons for further info.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/experience-ballinasloe-weekend-something-for-everyone-tickets-579311425067

Club walk Sunday 23rd April 2023

 With apologies for slacking with the updates on the blog! Normal service has resumed. 

Club walk Sunday 23rd April. Ballinasloe Gun Club to Clonfert Cathedral. 2 walk options available due to distance. Option 1: 18 km/5 hrs duration approx. Canal towpath, minor country road, forest and bog. 

Option 2: Meet at 11am at Lismany boardwalk to join rest of group for the remainder of walk. Duration 9 km, 2.5 hours. 

Boots or walking shoes ok. Bring lunch, water etc. 

Car pool from Gullanes at 09.00 to meet at Gun Club entrance at 9.10 am. Option to get bus back from Clonfert to your cars. Let walk leader Brid Lyons know before 7 pm on Thursday if interested. 

Club walk Sunday 26th March

Carron Loop in the Burren. Easy/moderate walk. Approx 150m ascent, 8km/3hrs. Uneven terrain and mucky in places. Boots with ankle support and good grip needed. Bring rain gear etc. Carpool from Gullanes @9am. Short stop at Minihanes Supervalu Gort, leaving 10am to travel to start of walk. Leader: C. Dolphin. 

Reminder clocks go forward this w/end.

Women with Altitude 2023

Registration now open for Women with Altitude 2023, which will take place between 19th and 21st May in Clonbur, Co. Galway.

Info on mountaineering.ie or http://www.womenwithaltitude.ie/

An Taisce National Spring Clean

Rosway Walkers will be taking part in the An Taisce National Spring Clean on Saturday 15th April. Area to be decided. Would welcome suggestions. Bags, gloves provided. Boots/wellies advised. Please support - even half hour on the day is greatly appreciated. Organiser: Bríd Lyons. 

Club walk Sunday 12th March

Canal walk: Rahan to Boora windfarm. 15km approx. Bus departing Gullane's car park at 09:30. Bring wet gear and lunch. €10 for bus. Leader: Jim C.

Club walk Sunday 5th March

Strokestown House to Scramogue, Co Roscommon. A to B walk. 9.5kms approx. Trainers OK & hi-vis highly recommended.  Meet Gullanes @ 9.30 am or Strokestown at 10.30 am. Bring cash as café open and there is opportunity to get Famine Way passports stamped before the walk. Will need some cars left at end of walk so walk probably won't start till 11 am. Leader Brid Lyons. 

Club walk Saturday 11th February

 In a change to calendar, next weekend's walk will take place on Saturday February 11th. Meet at Brid Barrett's house at 10.30am for local walk. Boots necessary as mucky in places. Easy walk approx. 2-2.5 hrs. Tea and scones after. 

Ballycastle/Rathlin Island weekend: further info

Those travelling northwards on the Ballycastle/Rathlin weekend may be interested in signing up for the Gobbins Cliff Path walk on Saturday 3rd June. The Gobbins, which was featured recently on RTÉ's Nationwide, takes between 2.5 and 3 hours to complete. It is a 5km walk with a steep access path to the lower cliff path and includes gradients of up to 1:4 in places. It is the equivalent of climbing and descending 50 flights of stairs. The cost is €20 per person which will be collected closer to the departure date.

As advance booking is required to guarantee a place on this popular and spectacular walk, members will need to confirm their participation with walk leader John McDonagh before next Friday, 10th February.

For members who do not wish to take part, there will be the alternative of a visit to the nearby Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne. 

National Famine Way walk

Please note that this walk, which is the first stage of the Famine Way, has been moved to Sunday, March 5th.  The Famine Way starts in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon and finishes on the Custom House Quay in Dublin. The 165 km route commemorates a walk undertaken by 1490 tenants of the Strokestown Park estate in 1847, at the height of the Famine. 

A Famine Way passport can be ordered in advance of the walk at this link. It takes approximately ten days to arrive by post and costs €15. It is not a requirement but, like the Camino, walkers can have it stamped at locations along the route as a memento of the journey. 

Club walk Sunday 29th January 2023

Glenbarrow &  Ridge of Capard looped walk, Slieve Bloom mountains, Co. Laois. Approx. 3.5 hours/10kms. Car pool from Gullanes, departing 9am or meet at Ridge of Capard car park at 10.20am. Bring gear (hat, gloves, spare warm layer etc), lunch. NB waterproof boots with good grip as conditions poor underfoot. Leaders F. Maguire & B. Lyons. 

Rosway weekends away 2023

Deposits will be collected in Gullane's Hotel on Wednesday 25th January between 8pm and 9pm for both weekends away. €50 deposit required for each trip. 

Ballycastle and Rathlin Island 3rd-5th June 2023: Two nights B&B and evening meal at Marine Hotel Ballycastle, ferry to Rathlin Island. Cost €230 pps. Bus travelling from Ballinasloe early morning Saturday 3rd June 2023. 

Achill Island 5th-7th August 2023: Two nights B&B and evening meal at Achill Island Hotel. Check-in Saturday 5th August 2023. Car pooling may be an option-decision on this closer to date. A & B grade walks on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th August 2023. Cost: €200 pps. 

For further information on both trips contact: Brendan Fahy or John McDonagh 

Improve your walking technique

 Some interesting information from Backpacker magazine on improving your walking technique and how the proper boots can help. Access the article here. 

Change to walking calendar

Due to unforseen circumstances, there is a change to the walking calendar. The next Club walk will be Woodlawn, Co. Galway on Saturday 14th January. The Glenbarrow walk will now take place on 29th January. Apologies for any inconvenience. 

Leadership training for Club members

 Places still available on a one day MI training course based in Foxford, Co Mayo on 15/01. Great opportunity for Club members who are interested in picking up some skills or building up some confidence, with a view to leading walks. Training will cover leadership, navigation & safe practice in outdoors. 10am to 5pm approx. Trainer is Iain Miller of Unique Ascents. 

Course is free but attendees will need Discovery Series map 24 & preferably a Silva Type 4 compass (https://www.alpinesports.ie/equipment/navigation/silva-exped4-compass.html).  Please get in touch with Club Training Officer Noel or Club Secretary Fiona ASAP if interested. Places on first come, first served basis.