Sat 24th May 2025
Slieve Foye and Barnavave Ridge

​​
A large group of Spartans had decided to head to Carlingford for the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Unfortunately the weather broke on the Friday afternoon. However we were lucky on Saturday morning as although there was some cloud on Slieve Foye, the Barnavave Ridge next to Slieve Foye was clear.

A good group headed up behind Carlingford village to climb up to the ridge. We then followed it to Barnavave with its Cross on its summit. We did make a short diversion down a subsidiary ridge but a farmer was not too keen on our route, so we climbed back up to Barnavave. We then walked the whole ridge to the eastern end of the ridge.


​

We returned by the same route. There were some nice views in changeable weather and the route seemed surprisingly wild.

Some adjourned to PJs Pub afterwards. As we sat there the heavens opened with rain so we had managed to get the walk in reasonable weather.
 
David

Sat 17th May 2025
Butter Mountain and Doan


​A group of about 15 Spartans gathered at Spelga Dam Car Park on a glorious day. We headed up Butter Mountain and then down to Ott Layby and on over Ott Mountain. After a coffee break, we headed to the Mourne wall and down to Lough Shannagh. Here we had lunch by the lough which was glimmering in the sun. So tempting was the lough that one of our number went for a swim. Unfortunately some people had left some litter at the lough side and the group helped pick this up. Very community spirited! What a pity some do not respect the outdoors.
​
We then climbed Doan mountain and paused at the top for the nice views before heading back the way we came. We arrived at Spelga car park having enjoyed a great day in great sunshine.
 
David

Sat 10th May 2025
Mournes - Meelmore and Meelbeg
​Saturday proved to be a very successful walk for 14 Spartans.  Blue sky, wonderful views and sufficiently tired after climbing Meelmore and Meelbeg.
 
Barbara

Sat 3rd May 2025
​Newcastle, Murlough and Dundrum




​10 of us had a stunning walk along Newcastle beach, through Murlough, Dundrum, and along the old railway line. 

Views were great, there were at least 90 seals across at Ballykinler, and we felt that we narrowly avoided been shot at during the army shooting practice time!

Nonie

Sat 26th Apr 2025
Commedagh


The weather looked a bit bleak and misty arriving at Donard Car Park. Despite this fifteen brave souls ventured out. The car park was busy due to a sponsored walk up Slieve Donard that day.

​On up to the Saddle, we had loads of fit young people passing us. Most had surprising good footwear which is unusual for these events. It remained dry but the mountains were still covered with mist. Two folks dropped out before the Saddle and another stopped at the Saddle. We were now down to twelve and carried on up to the top of the wall and then progressed to the actual top of Commedagh. Miraculously the cloud and mist cleared and we had beautiful views down to Newcastle and Dundrum. 


​It remained sunny for the rest of the day.
 
We walked down past the Pot of Pulgarve which fortunately was wind and mist free. The path is not very distinct but quite steep and it would be difficult in bad weather. We headed towards Shan Slieve and headed back down towards the Glen River Path meeting it at where the woods begin.

It is normally possible to go through Donard Wood but the mess from Storm Éowyn was still evident. This meant a slightly longer trek back down the Glen River Path to Donard Car Park. We arrived back in time for a well earned coffee.
 
Richard

Sat 5th Apr 2025
Sallagh Braes, Antrim Hills
​There were 19 of us on the walk this year. And what a difference a year makes. Last year it was persistent rain and wind. This year it was blue skies and wall to wall sunshine, although there was a cool easterly breeze. The terrain underfoot was also relatively dry. As for wildlife, we got a glimpse of a hare but no grouse or merlins this year and our friends, the hairy beasts with horns and no eyes, who we normally meet, were nowhere to be seen. A great walk in good company and perfect weather. Thanks to the drivers for ferrying walkers at both ends.
 
Davy

Sat 15th Mar 2025
Donaghadee to Holywood

​The weather was ideal for walking today, bright sun but a bit of a chilly breeze on the seafront. It did cloud over in the afternoon which made it feel a bit colder. Spring seemed to have arrived.

An early start for this walk, we caught the 9.55am bus from Bangor bus station to Donaghadee arriving there at 10.15am. The seven of us started almost immediately to make the best of the good weather. The views of the Copeland Islands were spectacular and the clear weather showed parts of Scotland. There was debate as to what parts could actually be seen but we all agreed we could see Paddy's Milestone (Ailsa Craig).
We reached Orlock and walked out towards the headland. It was a bit muddy underfoot but not as bad as usual. A few other walkers coming the other way but remarkably few given the fine weather.

​We walked on, going around the caravan park to reach Groomsport in time for an early lunch, just after 12.00. We walked around Ballymacormick Point which is probably the most picturesque part of the route. 

​We made good progress along to Ballyholme Beach where, fortunately the tide had sufficiently receded to allow us to continue without getting our feet wet.

At 2.00pm we arrived in Bangor where some walkers left us. We had a well earned coffee in the Pickie Pool restaurant, some of us partaking of the tempting sweet things. Ann joined us at Carnalea Glen and we proceeded along Crawfordsburn Park, Grey Point and Helen's Bay. There were not so many cold water swimmers around today. Perhaps the brisk wind off the sea put them off.

We made a smart pace on the final stretch to Holywood after passing Cultra. It seemed a long slog into Holywood but we arrived at the train station at 5.30pm on schedule and in time for the Belfast train or the Bangor train. Five of us did the whole 29km so I think we all deserved a good rest on the train back.
 
Richard

Sat 22nd Feb 2025
​Mournes

We had a great day with sunny weather for a change and great views of Pigeon Rock, the steep sided Slievemoughanmore and Wee Slievemoughanmore.

​Many thanks to all for your company.

​Frank

Sat 15th Feb 2025
Mournes - Meelbeg and Slieve Loughshannagh

Two of us had a misty but dry walk, starting at Ott Carpark. We climbed Slieve Loughshannagh and Meelbeg (plenty of snow on top) and returned again over Meelbeg and skirted round Slieve Loughshannagh.

The path up to the wall is in a terrible condition. On our way down, we met 2 groups of probably foreign students, most of them wearing rather smart footwear!  Dear knows how they managed to get through the peat bog!!

​Nonie

Fri 7th Feb 2025
Annual Dinner

​La Mon Hotel & Country Club was the venue for the 2025 Spartans Annual Dinner. A great venue with lovely food and superb craic and conversation as always.
​
Many thanks to Helen for organising, and to Lorna for the photos.

Sat 1st Feb 2025
​Mournes - OTT, Carn and Doan


15 brave souls met at Ott Car Park on Saturday to a breezy, misty, cold day.

Still we all enjoyed the walk and meetings fellow Spartans.

Thanks to everyone.

Frank

Sat 18th Jan 2025
Castle Ward and Audley Castle

Hasty decision on Thursday night, I decided to go to walking at Castle Ward Saturday. To my amazement seven others wanted to join. We began in the main carpark and picked up an additional walker at Audley's Castle. Day a bit grey but still good conditions for walking.
 
We started off down the hill towards the yard famous in the opening episodes of "Game of Thrones". No bus loads of people in cloaks and swords thankfully. We then walked along the coast on the marked path towards 15th Century Audley's Castle. You see the Castle then it disappears in the woods, only to reappear further along. We ruined a lone cyclist's breakfast at the Castle but he seemed well prepared with stove saucepans etc.
We crossed the road and carried on the path on the other side of the wall of the Audleystown Road. First lunch was just before we entered the woods at Gate 6. The attendant at the entrance had warned us of possible route closures at this stage due to the damage done by Storm Darragh a few weekends ago. However the detours were well marked and whereas it shortened the route, it did not lessen our enjoyment of the walk.
 
After a second Lunch, we continued virtually unhindered along the Boundary Trail. We ended up at the House and decided we had had enough with the lure of tea, coffee and lemon drizzle cake. A dry day, ideal for walking and electronic devices telling us we had done 7½ miles.
 
Richard

Sat 11th Jan 2025
Divis and the Black Mountain



8 brave souls climbed Divis Mountain today. We battled ice, slush, snow, mist and a cold wind with no injuries!

Amazingly the cafe was open so we had a chance to thaw and dry out a little. 

Not the best walk ever, but no one complained, and the company was great!

Nonie

Sat 4th Jan 2025
Mournes


​​13 Spartans assembled at Meelmore Lodge on a cold but clear icy day. We set off up the Trassey Track towards Bearnagh and took the path which led to the col between Bearnagh and Meelmore. Two of our number left us at the Ford next to Trassey track to take the green road up to Slievenaglogh. 
​The remaking 11 had a break at the col between Bearnagh and Meelmore for some warm coffee and soup. The track up had been quite icy so we took our time and were careful. We then climbed Slieve Bearnagh. As we climbed the ground became steadily white. At the top it was as though you were in snow the frost was so thick. The views were great due to really clear visibility on a winters day. We could see the Sperrins rising from inverted cloud over Lough Neagh. We could see the Wicklow mountains, the Isle of Man and the Lake District beyond and of course the Belfast Hills and nearer Hills.

We descended down to Hares Gap and then back along the Trassey Track to Meelmore. The going surprisingly was much easier on the way down. Finally we adjourned for coffee in Meelmore Lodge after a beautiful day out.

​David