Scouts 28 September 2025

Galtee Sionnach 2025 🦊

Over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th of September, three of our intrepid Scouts and two Leaders, including our Group Leader, packed their maps, compasses, tents, sleeping bags and lots more into their backpacks and headed off to the Galtee Mountains for our very own 2025 rendition of the “Trip to Tipp” for the Galtee Sionnach 2025.

Sionnach Adventures are full weekends of camping and hill walking, where Scouts are introduced to the great outdoors in a safe and controlled manner. Scouts carry everything the need to get through the weekend, including tents, sleeping bags & mats and all of their food and water. They cover between 15km to 20km hiking, with a mixture of carrying their full kit, and hiking with a lighter backpack, where most the gear is left at a camp.

In attendance from 1st Meath Dunboyne were:

Saoirse Sludds (Monday Scouts)
Sadhbh Keane (Monday Scouts)
Max Williams (Wednesday Scouts)
Bernie O’Connor (Group Leader)
Alan Keane (Leader)

Alex Betson also participated as part of Peak Patrol, which is for Scouts who wish to go further with their mountain and survival training. They can progress to more challenging adventures and eventually qualify as Sionnach Crew.

On this, occasion we were headed to the Galtee Mountains in Tipperary, specifically our goal was to reach Lough Muskry, which sits in at the top of a valley close to the impressive Galtymore.

In advance of the trip, the Scouts and Leaders travelling were well prepared by our highly experienced leader, Tony Collins, who ensured we all had the correct gear to get through the weekend. The Scouts were also upskilled in their Compass Work and were also taught how to prepare Route Card to describes in detail the route we would be hiking over the weekend and also ensure everyone was familiar with the Tents that are brought on such weekends.

On Friday evening, we arrived at the meeting point at 8pm, in time to register and let the Sionnach Crew check that we had all the correct gear before setting off. Once were received the all clear from the crew, we set off hiking with full kit on our backs and headlamps on our heads, as the sun had long since set by the time we set off walking.

About an hour later, we made it to Low Camp for the Friday night, which was nothing more than a damp hillside. Conditions were calm as we hiked through the woods, but all that changed quickly as we arrived at the higher, more exposed areas. Tents were pitched in the dark, in very windy conditions, and soon after we were hit with heavy rain showers, which persisted through the night. Thankfully the tents were up to the task, and the next morning we arose to a damp and misty morning.

Following a hot breakfast, and much needed coffee, we packed up our tents and set off hiking again, for our target of Lough Muskry where we would be setting up High Camp.As we hiked along the way, we were aiming for waypoints where the Sionnach Crew were stationed to share their knowledge with the Scouts on Mountain Skills such as Pacing, Exposure, Navigation, Compass Work, Leave No Trace and Equipment. Each checkpoint was staffed with a member of the crew who were very knowledgeable and readily shared their knowledge and experiences with Scouts and Leaders.

On arrival to High Camp, the tents were again set up and after a short rest, we left most our gear at High Camp and we set off to hike across the Galtees and climb to the higher peaks in the area. Highlights included the spectacular O’Loughlins Castle, which looks for all the world like a ruined castle, but in fact is a completely natural rock formation. And of course, spectacular views of the surrounding area including Galtymore, Lough Muskry and beyond.We began hiking at 10am on Saturday, and only were made it back to high camp at 6pm. It was a long day of hiking, but we were all ready for a hearty dinner of rice and bolognese and most were in bed early that night.

Sunday brought a bright day after some more rain overnight. The Sionnach Crew and held the Scouts Own reflection at 9am and handed out the Sionnach Adventure badges to all participants. However we were not done yet and after packing up the gear we all hiked out of High Camp and made our way over to climb one last peak for the weekend, the deceptively steep Knockastakeen (Cnoc An Stáicin), with our full kit on our backs.We descended back down the valley and made to the car park, which was reached shortly after 1pm.

All of us completed the course safely, had a very enjoyable weekend and picked up a lot of new knowledge and new skills along the way.