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BEFORE

AFTER

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Some of the litter lift at Ballyhornan. Congratulations to everyone who took part for a really worthwhile job well done. Sir David Attenborough would be proud of us.

Meanwhile Raymond and Ronnie led a successful walk for a group of intrepid hill walkers starting at Lumpers. For pics of this walk click on the pic.

Bloody Bridge and Chimney Rock - 14 March 2019

On a blustery day Mike, Herbie and a small group of walkers enjoyed a great walk up to the col at Bog of Donard where Mike and John O struck out for Chimney Rock Mountain. A great time was had by all.

Castlewellan - 07 March 2019

Mike and Herbie led a small team up the Bloody Bridge River to the col at the Bog of Donard where Mike and John

Despite poor forecast Cedars Walkers managed to have some great walks at Castlewellan. The planned ascent of Donard was called off due to high winds and poor visibility. Technical problems are preventing a full update showing photographs of the walk - new software required!

Lough Shannagh - 28 February 2019

Great walks to Lough Shannagh - misty at the Lough, but weather good and craic great. Click on link below to see some great pics of Gordon's walk supplied by Cecil R.

Herbie led a successful ascent of Carn Mountain and Slieve Loughshannagh. By all accounts it was an excellent walk with Herbie demonstrating good leadership and an appropriate level of caution in sometimes difficult conditions. Brighdin seemed particularly happy with the day. Well done Herbie.

For more pics, courtesy of Millie, click on the link below.

Carlingford and Slieve Foye - 21 February 2019

Brian prepares for take off on the summit of Slieve Foye. Click on pic to enlarge.

We had three great walks on Thursday 21 February 2019. Mike led ten of the fitter members of the group on a circular trek through the forest on the Tain Way and over The Eagles Rock and Slieve Foye. Distance was alittle short of 8 miles. John took 17 walkers up Slieve Foye although some wisely chose to take a break at our base camp, 150m below the windswept summit (588m.). Distance was around 6¾ miles. The shorter route allowed more time to enjoy the seafood chowder in PJ O'Hare's (score 8.5 out of 10). Gordon meanwhile led the walk along the sun soaked Greenway and through the forest ending up at Ruby Ellen's Tea Rooms. A good time was had by all. Click on the button below to see more pics.

Council seeks views on proposed greenways

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC Council) has secured Department for Infrastructure funding to conduct feasibility studies for four potential greenway routes across the borough.

Stretching a total distance of 109km (or 68 miles), the proposed greenways – from Aghalee to Portadown, Banbridge to Scarva, Portadown to Caledon and Portadown to Moy – would offer traffic-free paths for everyone whether it’s for health, recreation or commuting.

The feasibility studies, commissioned by ABC Council and facilitated by AECOM, will involve necessary participation from landowners and the general public. Local landowners will play a particularly important role in these studies and will soon receive a letter calling for their involvement and support, in addition input will also be sought from the wider general public.

As greenways take many forms – from shared farm lanes to riverside paths, naturally finished or fully tarmacked – the studies will seek to obtain a wide range of views, opinions and ideas on defining the proposed routes as well as gathering information on costs and challenges.

The feasibility studies will provide a full picture to help determine whether ABC Council will proceed with the development of the greenways.

Welcoming the studies, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty commented,

“I would urge local people to express their ideas on the greenway proposals. We already have popular greenways in our borough connecting important urban and rural areas, and we cannot progress without the input from the potential users.”

Helping better connect our city, towns and villages away from car traffic, the proposed greenways will provide an alternative and sustainable method for commuting and recreation, which will in turn help enhance the health and wellbeing of residents as well as protect and safeguard our environment for future generations.

To find out more about the proposed greenways or to have your say, please contact Simon Wells from AECOM on email simon.wells@aecom.com or phone 028 9060 7200 by 12 noon on Friday 29 March 2019.

Rachelle Coyle, Communications Assistant T: 028 3831 3606

For more information on each of the proposed routes click on the links below.

aghalee_to_portadown.pdf

banbridge_to_scarva.pdf

portadown_to_caledon.pdf

portadown_to_moy.pdf

Pigeon Rock Mountain and Murlough - 14 February 2019

Derek picks his route - click for more pics

Mike and Derek led all the hillwalkers on a mighty trek across Pigeon Rock Mountain, Cock Mountain and Hen Mountain before treturning via the Splega Dam. A good time was had by all - despite clouds and strong winds on the summits it was yet another perfect day for walking . The slide show includes a view towards the Mournes taken just north of Belfast Lough on the afternoon Easyjet flight from Glasgow.

Loughgall and Kilfeaghan - 07 February 2019

Gordon led a great walk at Loughgall in perfect weather.

Loughgall February 2019

Two groups of intrepid walkers headed for the hills on 07 February. Here they are waitng for the No. 39 bus at Kilbroney.

On yet another perfect day for walking John led a small band to visit the Kilfeaghan Dolmen and thence up on to Knockshee, Slievefadda, Slieve Martin and Slievemeen before returning for well-earned refreshments in Synge and Byrne's cafe at Kilbroney.

Stats: 7 miles, total ascent 2,158ft (658m.), avg. speed 1.6mph. Click HERE to follow route on Viewranger. Click HERE to see some pics of this great walk.

Meanwhile Mike led his merry band on a 12 mile trek over Formal, Rocky Mountain, Slieveroe and Finlieve More with a return to Kilbroney via Rostrevor Forest.

Icy conditions forced a change of plan but didn't dampen the spirits of Cedars walkers who enjoyed some great walks in the Mournes, for the most part in the relative shelter of Tollymore forest.

Leitrim Lodge and Clare Glen - 24 January 2019

We had perfect weather (no rain!) for four great walks from Leitrim Lodge on Thursday, 24 January 2019. The pic above shows Gordon and John's group on the summit of Pierces's Castle - click on pic to enlarge. The Pierce's Castle, Tornamrock, Rocky Mountain loop was nearly 5 miles long with an ascent of over 400 metres - a great walk. Click on the button below for more pics.

Meelmore 10 January 2019

We had a variety of great and sometimes challenging walks up, over, around and fornenst Meelmore and Meelbeg. The weather was kind to us - some walkers were even spotted in shorts and short sleeves! John made a solo ascent of Meelbeg and enjoyed his unhurried lunch by the wee hoose.

As anticipated 17 January was a perfect day for walking (as usual) and two great walks were organised - the planned walk to Giant's Ring and a hill walk at Kilbroney.

A good time was had by all.

Cedars walkers meet weekly on Thursdays and try to provide a range of walks to suit the varied wishes of our members. Most of our mountain walks are in the Mournes but we also like to walk in the Cooleys, Sperrins and Antrim Hills. Locations for our "level" walks include forests, public parks, tow paths and National Trust property such as Castle Ward.

Joining

Application forms can be obtained from the Jethro Centre, Lurgan. There is a long waiting list of people wishing to join. We would welcome applications from individuals with walk leader qualifications or suitable experience.

Our old web site

We hope you like the new-look web site. To view the old site click on the link below.