Galtymore – Location
Galtymore on the Limerick/Tipperary border in Munster is one of Ireland’s highest mountains. At 918 metres, it is the highest mountain in the Galtees.
Galtymore – Getting there
The best place to climb Galtmore from (in my own opinion) is from the Black Road car park. It’s the most straightforward as it’s a long straight track in until you reach a fork in the road. Taking the left track will bring you towards the base of Galtymore. After this, the track can become a bit boggy depending on the weather, and you can find yourself having to navigate around sodden turf banks and marshy ground.
The other place to go from is Kings Yard where there’s a car park and a small shop where you can purchase snacks and drinks. There are also showers and toilets. There’s a donation box on a wall where you can contribute towards this great facility.
A challenging hike
There’s no scrambling involved. The route comprises of stony ground and bog that can become a bit water logged depending on the weather. The last bit up Galtymore is a bit steep, but if I can do it, anyone can. I wouldn’t have a great head for heights (I’m not a fan of ledges and drops), and I’m not the fastest, but I can do this and have done it on my own. The most challenging aspect of this one is if the weather turns bad or the fog comes down. But that can be said for any mountain.
I remember the first time I climbed Galtymore from Kings Yard. It was a charity climb and I hadn’t been hillwalking that long. I was a stone heavier than I am now and I thought I’d never see the top of the mountain. I got there though.
Roll on a few years, and I’ve that stone lost, and Galtymore climbed more times than I can remember including a couple of sunset and sunrise hikes.
Buddha on Galtymore
Three of us chose to camp on the mountain one night. The fog came in during the night, and the following morning, we woke up, started to make our way down the mountain and came across the strange sight below. Someone had placed a Buddha ornament on top of the trig point. He didn’t stay around too long. Someone had removed him a few months later when I went back.
