The Laune Mountaineering Club, established in 1966, is one of the oldest walking clubs in County Kerry. We have a large and active membership and have walks every second Sunday. Our LMC Walks Calendar is available for download. Walks are mainly in the Kerry area, but we try and fit in a weekend away to another part of the country during the year as well.
Members from other MCI clubs are always welcome to join us on our walks and we are keen to grow our membership. If you are interested in joining, an LMC Application Form is available for download or leave a comment for more information.
The First 25 Years!
The formation of the club in 1966, coincided with the foundation of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and for many years was a “feeder” for the Team. For some 25 years, the Team and the Club were almost synonymous. Members did valiant service on rescues and searches, in training and fundraising. The commitment got tangible expression in the construction in Killorglin of the first purpose-built mountain rescue station in the country.
If only to be good Mountain Rescue Team members, familiarity with the hills in the southwest was essential and weekly walks/climbs saw to that. The enjoyment meant that other areas had to be explored and Easter Camps regularly took members to Connemara, the Comeraghs, the Galtees and Beara. A motoring trip to Austria was organised very early on. Club members were among the first batch of qualified Mountain Leaders in Ireland and there was a strong commitment to mountaineering nationally, providing the founding chairman of FMCI, now MCI (Mountaineering Council of Ireland).
Members helped with adventure training and were active in the early development of orienteering in the country. A visit to Tolleymore (Northern Ireland) led to the conception of what now is the Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre. The Club put up the deposit for the 55-acre site on which the Centre stands. Organising a number of National Adventure Meets promoted the Cappanalea project and introduced sports people from all over Ireland to the area and to one another’s activities – canoeing, orienteering, hillwalking, rock climbing, surfing, etc. The annual MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Climb, organised with the other Kerry clubs, also allowed walkers from throughout the country to sample high ridge climbing in controlled conditions, something that was needed before clubs acquired trained and experienced leaders.
[...] We walk every second Sunday, usually with a more strenuous route and either a moderate or an easy trip on the walking calendar. We vary starting times to suit those who can not spend a whole day on the mountain, and try to bring all groups together for a social drink in a pub at the end of each walk. New members are always welcome, download an application form if interested or find out more about us. [...]
Walk the Way for Cancer Research
ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR KERRY WAY CANCER RESEARCH WALK
The organisers of The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk recently launched details of this year’s event and have announced that online registration is now officially open on event website http://www.kerrywaycancerwalk.ie.
All information regarding The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk can be accessed on this user friendly site, which also allows for easy event registration and keeps event costs to a minimum. There is plenty of information and guidance regarding the walk routes, fundraising, accommodation, training, etc.
The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk is a 70km three day fundraising event that has gone from strength to strength raising nearly €300,000 for cancer research in the past four years. The 2009 event was a tremendous success with over 260 walkers, from counties around Ireland as well as from France, Hong Kong, Switzerland and the UK, braving inclement weather last year to make a positive impact on cancer – and raise an astounding €91,000. The event goal this year is to raise €100,000 for cancer research programmes at Cork Cancer Research Centre.
The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk will take place from Friday, 23rd July to Sunday, 25th July 2010 and participants can walk one, two or all three days. The three days of guided walks will start and finish each day in Kenmare and will incorporate impressive mountain views, dramatic peaks and glens, wild moorlands, wooded paths and lakes along the Kerry Way and Beara Way trails.
• Friday July 23rd Tahilla to Kenmare 22km
• Saturday July 24th Moll’s Gap (via Black Valley) to Kenmare 26km
• Sunday July 25th Glengarriff to Kenmare 22km
Past supporters of the event include Sean Kelly, Daithi O Se, John McHenry, and adventurer Pat Falvey. Pat Falvey commented about the event: “Cancer affects so many people, through their own journey or through someone they know. Taking on cancer is a daunting challenge which requires focus and determination, elements which are also needed for facing other challenges in life such as climbing Mount Everest. However the greatest challenges cannot be achieved alone – it is the team supporting you that will help you get through. Just like our team for Mount Everest, the Cork Cancer Research Centre provides focus and determination to the challenge of bringing new treatments to cancer patients. I’m delighted to be involved in this event and to lend my name and support as part of the fundraising efforts for cancer research, and to help combat cancer.”
Uniquely 100% of all sponsorship collected by walkers goes directly towards cancer research. All walkers cover their own costs; event organisation and marketing costs are kept to a minimum and are covered by sourcing gifts in kind from companies as well as through other fundraising activities leading up to the event. Without the assistance of the walkers, organising committee members and supporting companies, this event wouldn’t take place and it would not be possible to raise vital funds for cancer research and impact the lives of those affected by cancer.
So why not plan a nice activity break as well as raise money for a worthy cause. Cork Cancer Research Centre needs your support. Walk with purpose and you’ll be aiding research into cancer’s prevention and treatment. To register your interest for this year’s event and secure your place, please complete the online registration form today. Participants enter on a first come first served basis and entries will close on Friday, 2nd July 2010 or once the event participation limit is reached for health and safety reasons. Alternatively contact the Development Office at Cork Cancer Research Centre on 021 490 1437.
If you would like to make a difference in the fight against cancer and contribute to the researchers vital work, donations are gratefully received and can be lodged into The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk account – AIB Bank, Sort Code: 93-01-21, Account No: 01302795.
Ends
Hi Kevin,
the evening walks are arranged on an adhoc basis depending on weather and availability of people. The member contact details for these are available in the club calendar.