Tipperary’s annual Glen of Aherlow Winter Walking Festival launched by John G O’Dwyer
The Glen of Aherlow Winter Walking Festival from January 30 to February 1 has been launched by John G O’Dwyer, who wrote books such as Wild Stories from Irish Uplands, 50 Best Irish Walks: Easy to Moderate, and Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys.
At the launch at Aherlow House Hotel with views of Galtee Mountains, Mr O’Dwyer spoke about his love for walking in winter. The festival included walks with history, standing stones, dolmens, historic wells on Slieve na Muc side, and routes to Lough Curra and Lake Muskry on other side.
John G O’Dwyer shared “My favourite time of the year for walking is the winter. You get the lovely crisp days and you get the clear views and yet when you come to Ireland all our walking festivals are crammed in between April and October and there could be two or three the one weekend.”
“So I have to compliment the Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society for having the courage to set up a winter walking festival. It has proven through its survival over a long time of just how good the idea was.”
“Really I am not surprised as it is difficult to see a place that is better set up for a winter walking festival than the Glen of Aherlow and its beautiful vista along with the wonderful setting of Aherlow House Hotel with its welcoming open fires.”
“If you do go out walking and particularly from this side on Slieve na Muc, for the easy to moderate walkers, there are beautiful walks with loads of history, standing stones, dolmens, historic wells, all on this side.”
Then you cross to the other side, what do you get over there? Beautiful walks up to Lough Curra and Lake Muskry. It’s a winter walking festival and maybe that will involve a bit of snow, and today we are looking out at the snow-capped Galtee Mountains.”
So the hardy people that want to go up and do the circuit of Glencushabina, which is on the programme this year, will be perfectly satisfied. Then you come back to this beautiful hotel, and you are so lucky to have this place to base the festival, with its wonderful atmosphere and ambience.”
Hillary R Hardwell shared “It’s a very exciting time for us as we look forward to the festival. The Galtees are looking mighty fine so we hope for favourable walking conditions for the last weekend in January and we look forward to welcoming people from near and far to the event.”
