‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference’.
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
While two roads may diverge in a wood, the one that makes the difference is that one that will take you the shortest way through that day’s crossing, be it the Comeraghs, Galtees or Knockmealdowns ranges. And that is a main feature of The Fei Sheehy Challenge.
The lead up to the 2024 event came and went in its usual low-key fashion. Preparation within the event was once again undertaken by the Na Sleibhte Hillwalking Club. Duties were dispersed, details finalised, emails sent, boxes ticked. Preparation outside the event was as thorough as that of many Irish Olympian training for Paris - fitness/ hydration/ nutrition/navigation finalised, boxes ticked.
For the locals taking part in the challenge, these mountain ranges are as familiar as an M50 exit is to those living in the Capital. They discuss spot heights, coums and trig pillars as easily as a priest reads mass. Years of hiking with their local club brings them a wealth of experience. However, three challenge hiking days in a row balances the scales for all. And that is what brings hikers from all over Ireland to Tipperary for The Fei Sheehy Challenge every year.
The weather for the first two days was exceptionally good. Indeed many starting out on morning two had the war wounds of one caught out the day before without sunscreen – a right oul scalding. What an unexpected treat it was to meet William in his car at Moanyarha with water and snacks to get everyone home the last 10km on day one. Many thanks for his kindness.
The good weather also provided the perfect backdrop for the refreshments and home baked goods provided by the ladies on day two in Paudi's field in Anglesborough. Only those familiar with feeding hungry farm workers during the harvest and silage season know the beauty of throwing the remains of your tea out onto a field of grass or corn. (The tea tastes better too). Many thanks to these ladies for their hospitality and friendly chats. It helped erase the pain of the Temple Hill ascent.
Day three on the Knockmealdowns reminded us of why we as Irish hikers lift the wet gear from the bag, bemoan its weight and bulk, yet begrudgingly stuff it back in again, ‘just in case’. The ‘just in case’ happened on Sunday. The cloud stayed low, the wind high and many in shorts and t-shirts were caught out – a right oul perishing. The ground underfoot was 'soft to heavy' on all three days.
For those walkers new to the event, regardless of whether they did one day or three, the sense of achievement is second to none. For regular walkers, it is a chance to meet up with friends and fellow hikers who frequent the challenge hike circuit. Looking back at old blog photos, it is incredible to see the familiar faces who have supported this worthy cause for so many years.
What is not lost on anyone, new or old, is the ethos of this event; why we are here and the importance of looking out for one another. Which is why it was very easy to award the Epic Effort award to the three members of the Fermoy scouts group – John, Conor and Tom, who not only took on this personal challenge themselves but also helped a fellow walker in difficulty on day one. This is what stands out and this is why we do what we do.
Galtee Walking Club won the club title for the 4th year in a row. A superb achievement for a fantastic club. Well done to all. They always provide fun, comraderie and friendly competition to the event. Now who is to steal their 5 in a row next year?!
We continue to retain half the funds raised, after the deduction of some overheads, for our Mend The Mountain Fund and the balance is split between the two nominated charities. For 2024 those are : Pieta House and Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. The Statement of Affairs will be published once all event costs have been settled. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
While the Olympics were finishing up in Paris and the closing ceremony was taking place Sunday evening, most participants were back home, hanging up the wet gear, drying the boots and wondering what their next hike would be. (Many may also have been vowing never to hike again, considering taking up chess, set dancing or crochet instead)
Either way, perhaps it should be the introductory challenge walk which the Na Sleibhte hillwalking group will be hosting in the Galtees on October 12 th , open to all self navigators. Check out the Facebook page for more details. You know you want to. P.S. Insider information. It doesn’t involve Temple Hill.
There's a huge 'meitheal' effort on this event, from people outside the club who : create and sponsor the the certificates, engrave the award, volunteers from venues, drivers on collection stand-by etc. etc. - it would be a very long list to mention everbody. But, we do remember your contribution and we want you to know that we appreciate it.
2024 Participants:
Tony Baines, Gerard Barrett, Catherine Barry, Jim Barry, Eric Barry, Pat Boland, Kevin Bowen, Yvonne Boyd, Daniel Brennan, Karol Caufield, Eric Chua, Keith Curley, Kilian D’Arcy, Maria DeCharmant, Hilary Dilworth, Seán Doherty, John Fitzgerald, James Hanly, Catherine Horgan, Annette Kavanagh, Irene Lawless, Eoin Lonergan, John Lonergan, Joseph Lonergan, Martina Lonergan, Seán Lonergan, Derek Lyons, Noreen Mahony, Jason McAndrew, Conor McCarthy, Diarmaid McIntyre, Michael Moloney, John Murphy, Vadim Nikoforov, John Nyhan, Bríd O’Brien, Catherine O’Brien, Declan O’Brien, Josephine O';Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Nuala O’Connell, Fiona O’Leary, Mary O’Looney, Tom O’Mara, Niamh O’Reilly, Ulla O’Riordan, Jury Orup, Aileen Power, Tom Ryan, Roger Seaward, Gerard Sheehy, John Staunton, Mark Vesey, Rowan Walsh, Kenneth Warne.
Event statistics
56 participated over the 3 days.
31 did 3 days, 17 did 2 days and 8 did 1 day.
Clubs and walking groups represented
Ballyhoura Bears, Galtee Walking Club, Limerick Climbing Club, Na Sléibhte Hillwalking Club, Peaks Mountaineering Club, Trailblazers Hiking Group, Scouting Ireland Fermoy, Wayfarers Hiking Club
Fei Sheehy Challenge, 2024 – Karol Caulfield
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I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference’.
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
While two roads may diverge in a wood, the one that makes the difference is that one that will take you the shortest way through that day’s crossing, be it the Comeraghs, Galtees or Knockmealdowns ranges. And that is a main feature of The Fei Sheehy Challenge.
The lead up to the 2024 event came and went in its usual low-key fashion. Preparation within the event was once again undertaken by the Na Sleibhte Hillwalking Club. Duties were dispersed, details finalised, emails sent, boxes ticked. Preparation outside the event was as thorough as that of many Irish Olympian training for Paris - fitness/ hydration/ nutrition/navigation finalised, boxes ticked.
For the locals taking part in the challenge, these mountain ranges are as familiar as an M50 exit is to those living in the Capital. They discuss spot heights, coums and trig pillars as easily as a priest reads mass. Years of hiking with their local club brings them a wealth of experience. However, three challenge hiking days in a row balances the scales for all. And that is what brings hikers from all over Ireland to Tipperary for The Fei Sheehy Challenge every year.
The weather for the first two days was exceptionally good. Indeed many starting out on morning two had the war wounds of one caught out the day before without sunscreen – a right oul scalding. What an unexpected treat it was to meet William in his car at Moanyarha with water and snacks to get everyone home the last 10km on day one. Many thanks for his kindness.
The good weather also provided the perfect backdrop for the refreshments and home baked goods provided by the ladies on day two in Paudi's field in Anglesborough. Only those familiar with feeding hungry farm workers during the harvest and silage season know the beauty of throwing the remains of your tea out onto a field of grass or corn. (The tea tastes better too). Many thanks to these ladies for their hospitality and friendly chats. It helped erase the pain of the Temple Hill ascent.
Day three on the Knockmealdowns reminded us of why we as Irish hikers lift the wet gear from the bag, bemoan its weight and bulk, yet begrudgingly stuff it back in again, ‘just in case’. The ‘just in case’ happened on Sunday. The cloud stayed low, the wind high and many in shorts and t-shirts were caught out – a right oul perishing. The ground underfoot was 'soft to heavy' on all three days.
For those walkers new to the event, regardless of whether they did one day or three, the sense of achievement is second to none. For regular walkers, it is a chance to meet up with friends and fellow hikers who frequent the challenge hike circuit. Looking back at old blog photos, it is incredible to see the familiar faces who have supported this worthy cause for so many years.
What is not lost on anyone, new or old, is the ethos of this event; why we are here and the importance of looking out for one another. Which is why it was very easy to award the Epic Effort award to the three members of the Fermoy scouts group – John, Conor and Tom, who not only took on this personal challenge themselves but also helped a fellow walker in difficulty on day one. This is what stands out and this is why we do what we do.
Galtee Walking Club won the club title for the 4th year in a row. A superb achievement for a fantastic club. Well done to all. They always provide fun, comraderie and friendly competition to the event. Now who is to steal their 5 in a row next year?!
We continue to retain half the funds raised, after the deduction of some overheads, for our Mend The Mountain Fund and the balance is split between the two nominated charities. For 2024 those are : Pieta House and Marymount University Hospital and Hospice. The Statement of Affairs will be published once all event costs have been settled. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
While the Olympics were finishing up in Paris and the closing ceremony was taking place Sunday evening, most participants were back home, hanging up the wet gear, drying the boots and wondering what their next hike would be. (Many may also have been vowing never to hike again, considering taking up chess, set dancing or crochet instead)
Either way, perhaps it should be the introductory challenge walk which the Na Sleibhte hillwalking group will be hosting in the Galtees on October 12 th , open to all self navigators. Check out the Facebook page for more details. You know you want to. P.S. Insider information. It doesn’t involve Temple Hill.
There's a huge 'meitheal' effort on this event, from people outside the club who : create and sponsor the the certificates, engrave the award, volunteers from venues, drivers on collection stand-by etc. etc. - it would be a very long list to mention everbody. But, we do remember your contribution and we want you to know that we appreciate it.
2024 Participants:
Tony Baines, Gerard Barrett, Catherine Barry, Jim Barry, Eric Barry, Pat Boland, Kevin Bowen, Yvonne Boyd, Daniel Brennan, Karol Caufield, Eric Chua, Keith Curley, Kilian D’Arcy, Maria DeCharmant, Hilary Dilworth, Seán Doherty, John Fitzgerald, James Hanly, Catherine Horgan, Annette Kavanagh, Irene Lawless, Eoin Lonergan, John Lonergan, Joseph Lonergan, Martina Lonergan, Seán Lonergan, Derek Lyons, Noreen Mahony, Jason McAndrew, Conor McCarthy, Diarmaid McIntyre, Michael Moloney, John Murphy, Vadim Nikoforov, John Nyhan, Bríd O’Brien, Catherine O’Brien, Declan O’Brien, Josephine O';Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Nuala O’Connell, Fiona O’Leary, Mary O’Looney, Tom O’Mara, Niamh O’Reilly, Ulla O’Riordan, Jury Orup, Aileen Power, Tom Ryan, Roger Seaward, Gerard Sheehy, John Staunton, Mark Vesey, Rowan Walsh, Kenneth Warne.
Event statistics
56 participated over the 3 days.
31 did 3 days, 17 did 2 days and 8 did 1 day.
Clubs and walking groups represented
Ballyhoura Bears, Galtee Walking Club, Limerick Climbing Club, Na Sléibhte Hillwalking Club, Peaks Mountaineering Club, Trailblazers Hiking Group, Scouting Ireland Fermoy, Wayfarers Hiking Club
Fei Sheehy Challenge, 2024 – Karol Caulfield
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