PICTURES: Huge turnout for launch of Winter Walking Festival in Tipperary

The Glen of Aherlow Winter Walking Festival was launched by John G. O'Dwyer, at Aherlow House Hotel, on Friday January 9.

The Winter Walking Festival will take place from January 30 to February 1.

John G. spoke about his love for walking at this time of the year. "My favourite time of the year for walking is the winter. You get the lovely crisp days and you get the clear views and yet when you come to Ireland all our walking festivals are crammed in between April and October and there could be two or three the one weekend.

"So I have to compliment the Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society for having the courage to set up a winter walking festival. It has proven through its survival over a long time of just how good the idea was.

USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY

READ NEXT: Tipperary branch of St Vincent de Paul to host monthly furniture sale

"Really I am not surprised as it is difficult to see a place that is better set up for a Winter walking festival than the Glen of Aherlow and its beautiful vista along with the wonderful setting of Aherlow House House Hotel with its welcoming open fires.

"If you do go out walking and particularly from this side on Slieve na Muc, for the easy to moderate walkers, there are beautiful walks with loads of history, standing stones, dolmens, historic wells, all on this side.

"Then you cross to the other side, what do you get over there? beautiful walks up to Lough Curra and Lake Muskry. It's a Winter Walking Festival and maybe that will involve a bit of snow, and today we are looking out at the snow capped Galtee Mountains.

READ NEXT: Planning sought in Tipperary for material change from dwelling to emergency hostel

"So the hardy people that want to go up and do the circuit of Glencushabina, which is on the programme this year, will be perfectly satisfied. Then you come back to this beautiful hotel, and you are so lucky to have this place to base the festival, with its wonderful atmosphere and ambience" said John G.

Hillary R. Hardwell, Manager of the Glen of Aherlow Tourist Information Centre, said that they were really looking forward to
welcoming people to the festival.

"It's a very exciting time for us as we look forward to the festival. The Galtees are looking mighty fine today so we hope for favourable walking conditions for the last weekend in January and we look forward to welcoming people from near and far to the event" said Hillary.

Mike Moroney said that he was looking forward to walking the three Dolmen Loop this year. "We do everything in three here.

"We are going to win three All-Ireland's In-a-Row, you have three Holy Wells, the three Dolmens - Darby's Bed, Giant's Bed and Diarmuid and Grainne's Bed, and in between the views that are off Slieve na Muc are fantastic.

"When you go back to Moore Abbey and start walking along the new routes there you will see the best views of the Galtees and they connect the three Dolmens so easily" said Mike.

Helen Morrissey, one of the founding members of the Winter Walking Festival said that it came about some 12-14 years ago.

"Along with Roy Galvin and Ferghal Purcell, we came up with the idea while sitting on a high stool one night and we ran with the idea of this festival. We decided on the last weekend in January, and it has remained that weekend since. The first year was just incredible with the numbers that showed up.

"Weather permitting, it's a very popular event and it always runs well with the support of walking clubs and various other local groups along with the Civil Defence, Red Cross etc. It's an off season event but it's an event with a great following throughout the country and also from abroad" said Helen.

Further information on the Glen of Aherlow Winter Walking Festival from 062-56331 or through email info@aherlow.com