90,000 steps walking the Lough Derg Way
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Along raised banks of river coming into Clonlara village.Image 2 of 6
The walkers make their way through a trail along the forest.Image 3 of 6
Views of Lough Derg just before descent of Arra Mountain stepsImage 4 of 6
Rowers out on the River Shannon approaching O’Briens Bridge.Image 5 of 6
Nenagh Triathlon Club members, left to right, Gillian Kennedy, Margaret Hogan, Geraldine Kyne, Majella Moyles at start of Lough Derg Way, outside the Hunt Museum, Limerick City before embarking on their mammoth 70km walk in a day.Image 6 of 6
Garmin watch showing total distance walked.Four Nenagh women marched 90,000 steps out of lockdown by walking the Lough Derg Way in a single day last month.
Margaret Hogan, Gillian Kennedy, Geraldine Kyne and Majella Moyles - all members of Nenagh Triathlon Club - donned their walking boots and hiked the epic 70 kilometres - or 90,000 steps - from Limerick to Tipperary.
The mammoth hike began at 5.45am from Limerick City’s tourist office, near the Hunt Museum, and finished at Dromineer outside Nenagh at 8.30pm on Saturday, May 22nd.
LOUGH DERG WAY
The women’s journey involved walking a foot blistering 70 kilometres, or 90,000 steps, of the Lough Derg Way and included an elevation gain of 993 metres.
The Lough Derg Way follows parts of the River Shannon, with its canals and raised banks, and includes a variety of terrains and views including: old stone narrow bridges along the canal, scented green forest trails, country roads, wooden steps, lake views, mountain trails and across a number of fields and farm land.
“The experience of walking Lough Derg Way was enjoyed by all of us. The day we did the hike we got perfect weather which made it much more enjoyable. The craic throughout the whole day was mighty and we were joined for the last 30km by others who had fresher legs and motivated us for the final leg of the hike,” said Majella Moyles.
TRAINING
The women trained for the day-long walk during lockdown and after restrictions were lifted.
“During Covid-19 restrictions we all remained fit and active within our own 5km radius,” added Majella.
“When we eventually met up, and the 5km restrictions disappeared, we took to the Arra Mountains, Keeper, Coum and the Galtees to improve our strength and endurance. During one of those hikes we agreed to do the Lough Derg Way in a single day as a challenge,” explained Geraldine Kyne.
The four women all enjoyed different parts of the Lough Derg Way.
“I really loved the route going up to Tountinna and down the other side, the views of the river, Moylussa across the lake in Co Clare and looking down onto Ballina/Killaloe are spectacular,” commented Geraldine Kyne.
“I loved walking along the raised banks of the Shannon from the village of Clonlara to the Parteen Weir before descending onto country roads. The stillness of the water and the quiet calm morning made it such a peaceful part of the walk,” added Majella Moyles.
“For me the Limerick side, a part I had not walked before, hiking the canal walk and trails through woods and coming into O’Briens Bridge was my favourite,” said Margaret Hogan.
Gillian Kennedy’s favourite part of the walk was hearing and seeing the rowers out training on the still waters.
The four women told The Guardian they would definitely walk the Lough Derg Way again in parts and not all of it in a single day.
“We were tired after the hike. It was the longest distance hike in a single day to date that any of us have undertaken. We had a few blisters, but it was a brilliant experience and we would highly recommend any part of the route to people,” pointed out Margaret Hogan.
Few people knew about the challenge, but friends and family welcomed the women home when they arrived to Dromineer.