Old Head of Kinsale - fundraiser raises €2,000

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Monday January 22, 2007 10:29 by John Jefferies - Free the Old Head of Kinsale Campaign jefferiesjj at hotmail dot com

Campaigners climb Galtee Mountains in snow

Two dozen members of the Free the Old Head of Kinsale campaign yesterday (20th Jan 07) braved waist-deep snow drifts to climb Ireland's third highest mountain Galtymore to raise funds for a forthcoming court challenge.

Galtymore - 919 metres (3,015ft)

The Free the Old Head of Kinsale campaign will shortly be taking a High Court challenge regarding the longstanding dispute over Right of Way to this scenic County Cork Headland. The case is being taken by local activist Diarmuid Ó Dálaigh and the campaign need to raise approximately €5,000 to launch the challenge.

Yesterday a significant dent was made in that figure when almost €2,000 was raised in a sponsored climb of the Galtee Mountains on the Cork / Limerick / Tipperary border. A group of 24 climbers from the Free the Old Head of Kinsale campaign achieved the goal despite waist-deep snow drifts and a blinding snow blizzard.

The hardy hillwalkers set out from Cork at 9.30am and first sighted the snow-covered Galtees from north of Fermoy. The aim was to scale the 919 metre (3,015foot) Galtymore in County Limerick (or Galteemore if you like) which is Ireland's third highest mountain.

Many of the climbers were beginners but their safety was looked after by more experienced people.
At the top they were treated to the spectacle of people toboganning in Alpine type conditions (except they would envy this type of snow in parts of the Alps at the moment where snow is in short supply).

The frozen walkers returned to ground level shortly before 4pm and hot toddies were enjoyed (by the non-drivers) at the nearby Three Counties Bar in Kilbeheny. Thanks to the proprietors for putting on hot cocktail sausages and black pudding for the hungry group.

Special thanks go those who organised the most successful event including Claire, Woz and of course Diarmuid who is taking the case but was unable to be present yesterday and thanks to all participants. Someday the Old Head of Kinsale will be as free as Galteemore where thousands enjoy the walk and the scenery in all kinds of weather.

Finally our congratulations to Indymedia on its return.

Galtymore - open to walkers

Some of the Free the Old Head walkers yesterday