SUNDAY HILL WALKS WILL RESUME ON 28TH FEBRUARY AND CONTINUE ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

THIS FIRST LOCAL WALK OF 2010 WILL BE LED BY JOAN QUINN TO KNOCKALOUGH AND THE MEETING POINT WILL BE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE @ 12.30 P M

FOR NEWCOMERS TO OUR WALKS A MAP AND NOTES CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THIS WEB SITE

NIGHT HIKE

Sunday 13th December is the date fixed for the "Night Hike" which is proving to be very popular.  Walkers are asked to meet in the village of Upperchurch at 7.00 pm.  Food available in Kinnanes afterwards.

Sunday walks will resume around the end of January.  Date will be confirmed later.

If you wish to walk at any other time and would like a guide please ring 0504-54443/54959 or 086-0518934 and we will be happy to organise a guide for you.

Big Crowds at Upperchurch Walking Weekend

    The fourth Upperchurch Walking Weekend once again drew a large number of walkers to the picturesque hills last weekend despite torrential rain on Saturday. The less hardy walkers got their opportunity on Sunday as weather conditions improved, resulting in record numbers on all walks on the second day.

    The official opening on Friday night saw a packed Upperchurch Hall entertained and informed by talks and slideshows from Fr. Tomás O’ Connell on the Santiago de Compostella Pilgrimage Walk and by Mr. John Gerard O’ Dwyer on Walking Tourism. South East Mountain Rescue also had their brand new Rescue Vehicle on display.

     Saturday morning saw almost seventy walkers ignore the driving rain as they started the 18 km feature Knockalough – Dooree walk. While the climbs and weather conditions at this time of year are par for the course, the crossing of rapidly rising streams produced an unexpected difficulty. Quick thinking brought makeshift bridges made from bale trailers into action and a number of aquatic obstacles were overcome. Despite the continuous rain, another seventy walkers took part in shorter walks later on in the day.

    Sunday turned out bright and sunny and four further walks drew a total of over 250 walkers. Upperchurch has three National Loop walks which are the foundation of the weekend’s activities and extended versions of these are used for the longer walks. All involved on both days were treated to a hot meal afterwards in Upperchurch Hall. A noteworthy feature this year was the large number of visitors from outside Co. Tipperary. People who might be interested in providing accommodation for next year are asked to contact the organisers. Next years event will be held on November 5th, 6th and 7th.

    Donations for this year’s event are going to Sr. Eileen Dwyer, Drombane, of the Sisters of Mercy, to alleviate the hardship caused by a recent tsunami in the Tonga Islands. Contributions can be made to any member of the Walking Committee.

   The organisers would like to thank all who helped, especially the local landowners. The assistance of the Dept. of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Shannon Development and Fáilte Ireland is also appreciated.

   There will be a Night Walk in Upperchurch before Christmas. Please note that the date has not yet been finalised.

Upperchurch Walking Weekend will take place this year on 6th 7th & 8th November.  This year we have 4 walks with varying levels of difficulty ranging from 8 Km to 18 Km.

Programme of Events

Friday 6th Upperchurch Community Centre at 8.30 pm

• Reception and official opening in Community Centre
• Talk by Fr. Tomas O'Connell on the Santiago de Compostella Walk
• Talk by John Gerard O'Dwyer on Walking Tourism
• Complimentary Refreshments

Saturday 7th

• 10.00 am: Knockalough - Dooree Walk
• 12. noon: Knockalough -  Red Hugh Walk
• 12.30 pm:  Slí Eamoin an Chnoic
• Start Upperchurch Village

Sunday 8th

• 11.30 am: Clodiagh - Owenbeg River Walk
• Start Rosmult
• 12.00 noon: Knockalough - Red Hugh Walk
• 12.30 pm: Eamon an Chnoic Walk
• Start Upperchurch Village

Complimentary Refreshments after all Walks

For further information please download our 2009 brochure by clicking the icons/pictures at the top

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2009

Saturday October 3rd has been designated National Trails Day.  A walk has been organised for the Birchill Loop commencing at 4.00 pm.  Note change of date to hurling match. This walk is suitable for all.

UPPERCHURCH WALKING WEEKEND

On a weekend when most sporting events were called off, nearly 400 intrepid walkers braved the wintry rain and saturated ground at our Walking Weekend.  While less children took part than in previous years adult participation increased and the successful completion of the full program under such adverse conditions bodes well for the future of the event.

Friday night's official opening was very well attended and the excellent and clear talk by Isabel Cambie of Tipperary Leader on the new Walks Scheme explained all of the details to landowners and walkers alike.  An award was presented by members of the South East Mountain Rescue team to the local walking committee in appreciation of their fundraising efforts, while Eamonn Butler outlined the work of the Philippine Youth Project which benefitted to the amount of €2,850 euro from the walker's contributions.

The walking got off to a good start when 60 walkers commenced  the 18km Curreeney Walk on Saturday morning.  In spite of the weather turning nasty, a total of about 100 completed the Red Hugh, Knockalough and Éamon an Chnoic loops later in the day.  Sunday saw even greater numbers on the Clodiagh River walk, the Birch Hill Trail and the Red Hugh, Knockalough and Éamon an Chnoic loops again.  All walkers were given a hot meal provided by Kinnane's of Upperchurch in the local Community Centre after each walk.

Results of Photography Competition

The photography competition which was run in conjuction with the Walking Weekend was also very successful and drew a total of about 170 entries to compete for the €500 prize fund.

Results:   Adults:     1st and 3rd Tony Hunt, Clonmel.

                              2nd Teresa Delahunt, Ballycahill.

                               Highly commended: Majella Doody, James Purcell and

                               John O'Loughlin

Primary Schools:      1st Toby Clancy, Upperchurch

                                5 runners up: Aoife Shanahan, Cát Ryan, Grainne

                                 Quinlan and A J Shanahan, all Upperchurch N S and

                                 Sarah from Kilcommon.

The organisers wish to thank all who helped in any way and especially the local landowners.

This years annual Upperchurch Hill Walking Festival Weekend commences in Upperchurch Village on November 7th and runs until Sunday, 9th November.

enquiries to: info@upperchurch.ie

For the 2008 Hill Walking brochure click this link

0504 54284 or 0504 54442 or 086 0518934.

Postal Address - Walking Weekend, Upperchurch Community Centre, Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Email info@upperchurch.ie

Website www.upperchurch.ie

For the 2008 Hill Walking brochure click this link

UPPERCHURCH HOSTS

NORTH TIPPERARY - NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Upperchurch Village and its scenic hills and valleys will host the first ever North Tipperary National Trails Day as part of the newly launched National Trails Day which takes place across Ireland on September 28^th 2008.

Upperchurch has three looped walks which form part of the official National Trails Network - Eamon an Cnoic walk (8km) Knockalough Walk (10km) and the Birch Hill Walk (10km). 

The theme for the Upperchurch event is Natural and Human Built Heritage and will centre on the Birchhill Nature Walk near Drombane, Thurles. The walk will be lead by locally based experts and will provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the natural and man made eco systems while enjoying the beautiful  landscape of Upperchurch townlands.  Everybody is encouraged and welcome to participate especially members of the local community, visitors,  tourists and hillwalkers. 

enquiries:

info@upperchurch.ie

A sponsored walk in aid of South East Mountain Rescue will take place on Sunday 27th April 2008

18 km Ring Hill Walk leaving Upperchurch Village at 12.00 noon

8 km Sli Eamoin an Chnoic leaving Upperchurch at 12.30 pm

The 2nd Upperchurch Hill Walking Festival will take place from Fri November 9th until Sun Nov 11th 2007.

For the 2007 Hill Walking brochure click this link

The 2^nd Hill Walking festival will take place on the second weekend of November 2007 from Friday Nov 9th to Sun Nov 11th. Similar to last years event a number of walks will take place over the weekend. A new walking trail will also be used for the weekend. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.

To register your interest please email info@upperchurch.ie 

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