Item number 9 - Climb Slieve Donard - Completed!

Well, I've ticked an item off the list and climbed the highest peak in Northern Ireland for the first time since I was 21!  It was a wonderful, if tricky at times, climb from Donard Park at sea level in the centre of Newcastle County Down along the Glen River to the 850 metre Peak.

The day started off quite cloudy, but the sun did show itself a few times as I walked along the Glen River, and I was taking photos most of the way up.

The Glen River is fast flowing and crossed by a couple of bridges early on in the walk.  This is the appropriately named "Donard Bridge" which was built in the 1800s.







It was the view back down though that kept catching my eye - being able to see the curve of the bay stretching round from Newcastle to Dundrum and Murlough in the distance was breathtaking and beautiful.










Climbing through Cloud is always a strange experience - and watching the Clouds race along the valley chased by the strong wind was fascinating.  The wind at the top of Donard was relentless and I was glad to have the shelter of the Mourne Wall.

However, having reached the peak and as I was descending I saw Commedagh rising up out of the cloud opposite and decided that I wasn't quite done yet.  So, after a quick rest on the ridge between, known as "The Saddle" I ascended following the Mourne Wall and arrived at the Cairn (pile of stones) on the highest point there.



Looking at maps afterwards I discovered that Commedagh is the second highest point in Northern Ireland.

Doing all this on my 38th Birthday was a great fun achievement and something I will treasure for a long time to come.



Taking the opportunity to place a stone on each Cairn in memory of my Dad felt like a fitting tribute to the man who inspired my love of the Mournes and of nature, mountains, trees, rivers and the sea, all of which I saw that day.

The other wonderful thing about both these mountains is that the only marker that you have reached the summit is these Cairns.  There are no big pillars with labels all over them telling you how far you've come or how far away from luxemburg you are at that point.  Just a simple pile of stones which has been added to over the years by people climbing the mountain.

It is a beautiful place with so much to offer and I'd urge anyone who's not been to Northern Ireland to go - you will have your soul ignited by the beauty of it all.