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Wicklow Spring "Celtic" Walking Festival 2005
Friday, 29 April - Monday, 2 May 2005

Introduction
Why not book a spring break in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains and join us for the Wicklow Walking Festival. The festival provides a range of mountain walks from easy to moderate to challenging. Experienced walk leaders will enhance your walk with information on local historic sites and wildlife. In the evening join fellow walkers as they take to the dance floor to enjoy a traditional Irish Ceili or listen to Irish storytelling, music and song.

This year's festival uncovers a different part of Ireland, where thousands of years of magic and mystery are interwoven across a land as unspoiled as it is rich in archaeology, history, tradition and culture. The festival will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend and it will be "Celtic themed", based upon the fact that "Bealtaine" (Irish for the month of May and meaning "The Fire of the God" Baal) is traditionally the season of fertility, with the rising of sap in nature and specially marked by the druids, priests and priestesses of Celtic lore.

The walking festival will be hosted by Kippure Walking Centre, which is part of Kippure House Estate, and all walks will start from there. Kippure is a very special place, perfectly located in an area of wild, natural beauty in the northwest of County Wicklow. Hidden away in a magnificent valley, surrounded by unspoilt mountain, moorland and forest scenery, it adjoins the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Yet, despite its rural setting, it is less than an hour from Dublin City, Dublin Airport and major ferry ports.

For further information on the Kippure House Estate, the Wicklow Mountains and travel directions please visit:
www.kippure.com

For further information on County Wicklow and its many attractions, please visit: www.wicklow.ie/tourism.

Evening Entertainment
The Spring 2005 Walking Festival will offer a great deal more than just guided walking. You will experience some marvellous evening entertainment provided at Kippure Walking Centre/Kippure House Estate. To mark the event an authentic Druid will perform a spectacular Druidic Ceremony at 8.00 p.m. on Saturday, 30th April. Complementary mead (honey wine, the ancient Celtic drink) will be served during this ceremony. At 9.00 p.m. we will offer you a chance to enjoy the best of Irish music, dancing and fun by taking part in a traditional Ceili lead by a Fear An Tí (Irish dancing instructor) and supported by a live Ceili band. All dancers welcome, no experience necessary! There will be a Irish storytelling evening held at Kippure on Sunday, 1st May at 8.00 p.m. by a Seanchaí. Some of the stories have been told for generations by the people who live on and around these mountains and are bound up with the landscape, place names and the history of the area.

On all evenings during the festival you can relax in front of real log fires in Kippure’s onsite bar and lounge.

The Walks
The walking festival provides you with a total of five mountain walks, from an easy 7 kilometres (4.5 miles) walk to a challenging 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) walk. Please click here for further information on walking grades: WALKING GRADES EXPLAINED.

In addition Tim Kyne, proprietor of Kippure House Estate will lead a walk around the extensive grounds of Kippure Estate to see locations used for movies such as 'Braveheart' and 'Dancing at Lughnasa' and elements of nature and heritage interest. This walk will start at 10.00 a.m. on Monday, 2nd May, and take approximately 1.5 hours and will be an easy ramble - suitable for everyone.

Saturday, 30th of April 2005:
Grade A (strenuous) - Mullaghcleevaun Mountain
Grade B1 (moderate - strenuous) - Kippure & Source of River Liffey
Grade B2 (moderate - strenuous) - Megalithic Walk
Grade C1 (easy - moderate) - Gravale & Carrigvore
Grade C2 (easy - moderate) - Athdown Brook & Seefin Passage Grave

Sunday, 1st of May 2005:
No 'Grade A' walk on Sunday!
Grade B1 (moderate - strenuous) - Kippure & Source of River Liffey
Grade B2 (moderate - strenuous) - Megalithic Walk
Grade C1 (easy - moderate) - Gravale & Carrigvore
Grade C2 (easy - moderate) - Athdown Brook & Seefin Passage Grave

Participants check in from 08.30 a.m.
'A' WALK STARTS AT 09.00 a.m.
'B' WALK STARTS AT 09.45 a.m.
'C' WALK STARTS AT 10.30 a.m.

Monday, 2nd of May 2005:
Easy ramble (approx. 1.5 hours) around the estate led by Tim Kyne, environmentalist and proprietor of Kippure House Estate. Meet at 10.00 a.m. at the stone circle (front of main building). No prior booking necessary.

Grade A Walk, Saturday 30th (Please note there will be no 'Grade A' walk on Sunday the 1st) - Mullaghcleevaun Mountain: An exhilarating walk of far-reaching mountain views and splendid panoramas. Mullaghcleevaun (Irish for Top of the Cradle) is, at 849 metres, County Wicklow's second highest mountain. You will walk the dramatic cliff top of Mullaghcleevaun, while overlooking the dark blue waters of Cleevaun Lough. Other rewards for your effort will be memorable views over Blessington Lakes and the surrounding hills. Distance: 20 kilometres / 12.5 miles). Approximate Walking Time: 7+ hours. Grade: Strenuous.

Grade B (1) Walk, Saturday 30th & Sunday the 1st: - Kippure & Source of River Liffey: The diversity of this walk makes it the equal of any other exciting walk in the Wicklow hills. Our route will take you via Kippure Mountain (757 metres) to places where the famous river Liffey cuts a rugged path through some of the wildest mountain scenery in Wicklow. You will pass by Liffey-Head Bog, one of the most pristine habitats in Ireland, containing rich biodiversity such as the Sundew, a carnivorous plant that feeds on insects that become trapped in its sticky hairs. Distance: 18 kilometres / 11 miles. Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours. Grade: Moderate to Strenuous.

Grade B (2) Walk, Saturday the 30th & Sunday the 1st - Megalithic Walk: As you walk the mountains of County Wicklow you will notice it has an air of ancient times to it. Megalithic tombs, stone circles, and medieval churches are spread throughout the landscape. The Megalithic Walk provides an opportunity to explore three passage graves dating from 2000 BC - all situated on mountaintops along the route. Combined with breath-taking views over spectacular mountain scenery this truly is a magical walk. Distance: 15 kilometres / 9 miles. Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours. Grade Moderate to Strenuous.

Grade C (1) Walk, Saturday the 30th & Sunday the 1st - Gravale & Carrigvore: Expansive views across high moorland offer a sense of remoteness in this area of the Wicklow Mountains. Walk through an untamed wilderness with the cliffs of Mullaghcleevaun Mountain providing an awesome backdrop for most of the day. Wildlife that you may encounter along the way includes moorland birds such as the raven and the red grouse. This part of the Wicklow hills is teeming with deer (red/sika hybrid), increasing your chances of getting up close to nature. Distance: 11.5 kilometres / 7 miles. Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours. Grade: Easy to Moderate.

Grade C (2) Walk, Saturday the 30th & Sunday the 1st - Athdown Brook & Seefin Passage Grave: An enjoyable walk through captivating hill country with excellent views over lush green pastures in the valley. Explore Athdown Brook, an unexpected and hidden place, rich with wild natural beauty. Overlook picturesque Coronation Plantation, a broad expanse of mature Scot's Pine, planted in 1831 to celebrate the crowning of William IV as King of England. This walk provides also an opportunity to visit an ancient passage grave on the summit of Seefin. Distance: 7 kilometres / 4.5 miles. Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours. Grade: Easy to Moderate.

Equipment
It is the responsibility of the participants to ensure that they are suitably equipped for all walks. As the weather in Ireland can be very changeable, we strongly suggest that you bring the following essential items:

Rule No. 1: Wear sturdy walking boots with good ankle support! The risks associated with hillwalking are increased significantly if you don't have proper walking boots, so our policy is to insist that walkers have boots. Anyone wearing runners/trainers will not be allowed to participate on any walk.
   
Wind and waterproof breathable jacket and trousers, as well as gaiters.
   
A rucksack with the following content: hat and gloves, spare clothes (fleece or sweater, socks, hat, gloves etc.), a lunch pack, hot and cold drink, a whistle, personal items and, if required, medication.
   
A torch incl. spare batteries is required for all taking part in the 'Grade A' walk on Saturday.
   

Onsite Services
Facilities and services provided by Kippure Walking Centre throughout the festival include:

Packed lunches and refreshments for sale.
   
Bar will be open from 5.00 p.m.
   
Meals for sale after the walks.
   
Secure off-road car parking.
   

Costing & Registration

Costing:

2 guided walks (Saturday and Sunday)**, transport to and from the walks as required, guided ramble on Monday, entrance to all evening entertainment:
€35.00 p.p.
 
1 guided walk (Saturday or Sunday)**, transport to and from the walks as required, guided ramble on Monday, entrance to all evening entertainment:
€25.00 p.p.

A discount of 20% will apply to all group bookings in excess of 10 people!

** Saturday's 'Grade A' Walk is subject to a minimum number of 15 participants and is strictly limited to 50 people.

Registration

Booking must be made in advance through Wicklow County Tourism,
as it will not be possible to book on the day of the event.
Please contact Wicklow County Tourism directly at:

Phone National: 0404 20070
Phone International: +353 404 20070
Email: wt@wicklow.ie
Website: www.wicklow.ie/tourism

 

Walking Related Questions
If you have any questions regarding the planned walks, equipment or other related matters please feel free to contact one of the following. We will be very happy to help and advise!

Kippure Walking Centre (ask for Martina)
Phone National: 01 4582889
Phone International: +353 1 4582889
Email: walking@kippure.com

Footfalls Walking Holidays (ask for Christopher)
Phone National: 0404 45152
Phone International: + 353 404 45152
Email: info@walkinghikingireland.com

 

Rules

1. Every walker must have submitted an entry form and must have paid the correct entry fee.
   
2. Everyone must be in possession of a numbered identification card, which will be issued at the check in point. This card should be handed in at the finishing point to your guide.
   
3. It is strictly forbidden to light matches, fires or discard litter along the route.
   
4. Dogs are not allowed on any of the walks.
   
5. Participants on 'Grade A' walks must be aged 18 years or older and on 'Grade B' walks must be 16 years or older. On a 'C' graded walk an adult who assumes complete liability for them must accompany participants under 16 years of age.
   
6. Walkers must be satisfied that they are fully equipped and capable of undertaking their chosen walk.
   
7. The committee will not be responsible for any accident however arising.
   
8. If you need to cancel a pre-paid walk, please cancel on or before the 22nd of April to be eligible for a refund.
   

Further information/Entry form:

Christopher Stacey
Footfalls Walking Holidays
Trooperstown
Roundwood
Co. Wicklow
Tel/Fax: 0404 45152
E-mail: cstacey@iol.ie


 
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TEL/FAX: INT + 353 404 45152
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