​As it was my Junior Cert year I decided to ease off a bit from the mountains and concentrate on the books a bit more while still staying focused on Karate and if there was any opportunity to get out on the mountains I planned to run to help keep my fitness levels up. As a result I didn’t have much of a chance of being high on the leader boards for 2023 but Dad on the other hand, initially started off slow with the intention of logging some local mountains every month, got very competitive after the first or second month, keeping the pressure on all the way to the end resulting in two titles, Individual Champion (Mens 2023) and Irish Challenge Hillwalker of the Year (Mens 2023). 

I’ll leave Dad tell you how he did it.

The competition changed slightly for 2023 with eight separate rounds rather than four, meaning that the start of each month is a clean slate with the points of each month posted at the end of the month on a leader board. Also with no bonuses available a live leader board would be available for the current month. Full details of the competition are available on highpointireland.com

To kick off the season on 1st March both Dillon and I completed an easy local log of Knocknaskagh in the Nagle Mountains, less than 3.5K walk on forestry roads, perfect for the last of the evening light on a work day. 

Almost two weeks passed before the next outing, another local one, Seefin in the Ballyhouras.  This is another straightforward one and Dillon joined again for this one.

The following Saturday 18th March, Dillon wanted to run across the knockmealdowns so once I dropped him off for Knockshahullion I drove to Baylough car park and met my brother Johnny to climb Knockealdown, Knockmoylan and Sugarloaf Hill hoping to be back down in time to drive to the other end of the range to collect Dillon. However even though he had logged eight peaks to our three, he still had to wait almost an hour for us to collect him. Full story of Dillon's run here.

The following Wednesday after work saw me return to the Knockmealdowns again to log Knockshahullion and Knocknalougha, surprisingly after a day of thunder showers it was great to get back to the car without even a drop of rain. 

Evening outings on Thursday and Friday of the same week permitted a visit to Slievenamuck and Slievereagh respectively with darkness just beginning on return to the car on both occasions. Walking to Slievenamuck from Lisvarnane always rewards with great views of the Galtys.  

22 Jun 2023: Since my junior cert was  done, it was time to get back into hill-walking -  and what better way to do it that by tackling the The MacGillycuddy's Reeks Mountain Challenge. We were joined by Vinny McInerney, who is currently in training for the ​The Kerry Way Ultra. Vinny is a fellow competitor in the All Ireland Hillwalking Championships and goes by the username "Nomountainsinclare" on Peakhunter.

We would be following our usual route from The Hydra Road, although this time we would finish up at Kate Kearneys Cottage rather than our usual finishing point - The Gap Of Dunloe. We met up with Vinny at Kate's and he left his vehicle there for later, travelling with us to The Hydra Road.

The conditions were excellent to begin, with a comfortable sunshine shining down on Dad, Vinny and I as we ascended the first mountain of the challenge, Cnoc Íochtair. As we reached the ridge, we discovered a moderate wind, which accompanied us as we walked, appearing and disappearing depending on the surrounding geography. 

We were met with a small fog on Carrauntoohil, where we found it strange to be the only ones on the mountain - then again it was a Thursday evening!

We traversed the entire eastern ridge in a thick fog - even the big gun! Rain was forecasted for 8 O' Clock, but as we crossed The Big Gun at 9:30, I was glad of the incorrect forecast!

As we headed from the final mountain of the challenge, Cnoc na dTarbh, towards Kate Kearneys Cottage amidst darkness, the rain finally arrived. We had to cross a long boggy section until we met a so-called "path" following fence. To be fair it wasn't much of a path, just a slightly drier area of bog!

We eventually met The Strickeen Path which led us back down to the road near Kate Kearneys where Vinny had his car parked. He gave us a lift back to our car at The Hydra Road Car Park, where after saying our farewells to Vinny we changed out of our rain-soaked clothes and headed for Kildorrery, arriving home concluding our adventure just after 3am, with 153 points in the bag for The All Ireland Hillwalking Championships

The family are no strangers to the County High Points with Oscar's older brother Jai completing them recently and his Mam Carolyn having become the fastest woman to complete them during her back to back challenge last year. It was great that we bumped into fellow All Ireland Mountain Challenger Deirdre McEniry AKA Nan on our descent, a brilliant talk was had!

What an amazing day to be on the hills, especially in the company of Carolyn and Oscar, who we wish the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. ​

07 Apr 2023: At 6:30 in Anglesboro, I took the first steps of my hardest run yet; 29km taking in all 10 peaks of The Galtee Mountains Challenge with 2,254m of elevation gain.

18 Mar 2023: My third time running off-road, I decided to up the ante and increase both the distance and elevation gain by tackling the Knockmealdowns. Dad dropped me at "Crow Hill Car Park" and I set off running towards Knockshanahullion while Dad drove to The Bay Lough Car Park and headed for Knockmealdown (walking) from there. My uncle Johnny joined Dad for the walk. They had just turned from Knockmealdown to return via Knockmoylan and Sugarloaf Hill as I was just approaching Knockmealdown, the fifth of the eight Sport Hillwalking Locations I had to complete. The morning rain had cleared to reveal a beautiful sunny evening. I found it tough going, and the strong winds on Knockmealdown definitely didn't help. ​I continued my run and arrived on the Newcastle to Mellery road while the lads still had half the descent of Sugarloaf Hill to do. About 45mins later they arrived to pick me up and we all set off for home.

I ran a total of 17km with 1,200m height gained in just over 2hrs 25mins.

16 Mar 2023: I decided to start St. Patricks weekend off with a bang by going for a run. Wanting to change things up, I cycled over to the Kilcruig forestry entrance to start my adventure.

I really enjoyed bounding along the trails compared to the usual slog along the roads. I logged Kilcruig and Castlegale before heading onto The Keale River Walk which brought me to Ballyorgan, from there I passed the Ballyorgan forestry homes and continued on to the other side of Glasure Wood. See my route below!

More details, pictures and videos to come!

30 Oct 2022: ​We had big plans for the final weekend of the Challenge but they were cut short with horrific weather. Starting on Saturday morning we were up for an early start driving to climb Caherbarnagh but torrential rain meant we didn't leave the car and instead headed directly for home. It continued to rain all day and into the night but the forecast changed for Sunday and gave a small glimmer of hope that we might be able to proceed. A repeat of Saturdays drive, we were back again at the start of Caherbarnagh with an hour extra sleep due to the clocks going back. We reached the top with no issues but then the rain came once again! It continued all the way to the car. 

​We headed for the Paps next and had to wait for a heavy shower to pass before starting the walk. It passed and gave us a chance to log the two tops and almost make it back to the car but it did manage to drown us for the last 20 minutes of the walk. 

We dried off and changed the clothes and headed for the Gap of Dunloe to try The Dunkerron Mountains Northeast Challenge. As we drove the weather looked promising but as we passed Kate Kearney's Cottage the rain was torrential once again. We proceeded to the parking spot near Lough Reagh to leave the bike for later and headed up to Molls Gap to park near Lough Barfinnihy. The plan was to walk from there all the way to the bike and then as usual Dad would cycle to get the car. 
Setting off the weather was just about holding as we headed towards Boughil and Knocknacappul. 

​Next up was a long walk and a horrific climb to Knocklomena which seemed to take forever. 

​The weather still ok we continued back down again to road level only to climb back up again on the other side of the road to Stumpa Dúloigh which we thought would be a lot worse. It was a quick over and back then to Stumpa Dúloigh West Top before finally heading for Broaghnabinnia. As we approached the final climb we needed the lights making it a bit slower to get to the top. 

​We needed extra careful navigation to then make our way back to the bike beside lough Reagh but again we got there with just s few slides and without any other major issues. 

Dad set off immediately for the last cycle to the car and unfortunately the rain was back for his 18Km journey up to Molls Gap through the Black Valley. I was happy to see his return and we changed out of the wet clothes discussing the best plan of action as the following day was a Bank Holiday and the final day of the championships.
We decided to drive to Kenmare for food and we would make our final decision or plan on a full stomach. The big choice was go home or head for the Beara Peninsula to do the Caha Mountain Challenge the following day. In the end the decision was to go home as the weather forecast was not promising at all. We were delighted to get so much done despite the weather and to finish the season with one more Mountain Challenge done. ​

​Waking up on the following day and a quick check on the weather confirmed we had made the correct choice.

27 Oct 2022: Bikes out again for Slievenamuck and Slievereagh, Dad got the puncture this time but a pump before Slievereagh and again when leaving the top meant we got these night time logs done.

22 OCT 2022: ​A mad weekend of High Points and Mountains on the 2nd last weekend of High Point Ireland All Ireland Hillwalking Championships Round 4. Finished off the County High Points giving us a bonus of 304 points, this time it took less than 8 months to do them. We also set out to log as many High Points as possible to strengthen our position in the Highpointeering Competition.
Setting off very early, the forecast was for rain but we decided to go for it and see how we got on, the plans for Saturday had no major peaks anyway.

​First up Croghan Hill, still dark but a simple, short walk to the top marked by a beautifully crafted new Trig Pillar replacement. ​

A short drive to Knockastia then and it was now totally bright so we had no issue crossing the field to reach the top of this one either. 

​Slieve Bawn was another easy walk through forestry and a windfarm and the route was familar as we had done it before. 

County High Point time now with Corn Hill, Mullaghmeen and  Slieve na Calliaghall easy to reach and the weather was still holding out.

​We had logged Loughanleagh and Slieve Glah in the past and knew they would be easy to include today also, the extra driving probably the hardest part. Once we logged Loughanleagh the rain had arrived. We met a very friendly farmer before we started Slieve Glah and he had no issue with us crossing his land for the peak, so off we went and after a good drowning it was another High Point completed. 

​The rain continued for Slieve Beagh and Slieve Beagh East Top which is notoriously wet under foot at the best of times anyway. Wellingtons on we skirted around Monahan's County High Point initially to log the actual peak of Slieve Beagh and then walked back through the East Top on the return journey. I don't know how we would have managed without the wellies. 

Inishmore, Co. Fermanagh was the next High Point to add to the list and this one was logged as we turned the car at the top of what seems to be a private road.
Our plans during the week included a non boardwalk approach for Cuilcagh but now that darkness was closing in we opted for the safer route using the boardwalk with extra care required for the last kilometere from the end of the boardwalk. This worked out well for us and at least the rain held off for it. 
​Finally to finish the County Highpoints it was a drive in to a windfarm in Roscommon to log Seltannasaggart Southeast Slope which was quite difficult in thick fog and darkness, 23:02 was the log time so time to call it a day but all important food first in Carrick On Shannon. 

​22 Oct 2022: I slept while Dad drove to Keem beach, Achill, our parking spot for the night in preparation for the following day. Little did we know we were sleeping at a location of an upcoming famous movie The Banshees of Inisherin​. We woke to find only a drizzle of rain which was gone once we had finished our breakfast. 

​We set off to climb Croaghaun and Croaghaun West Top and managed to make it up and back just before the heavens opened. 

We drove towards the base of Slievemore then as the rain poured down and we parked at the graveyard close to The deserted Famine Village. As we got ourselves ready we hoped that the rain would die down but it wasn't to be so we said ah well let’s go! It didn’t stop even for a second as we pushed ourselves to the top and slid most of the way back down again to the car. Mission accomplished though, Achill Mountains Challenge completed. 

​It was still raining as we drove the mast road to Minaun but at this stage we couldn't leave the easy walk to the summit. We were amazed to spot workers on the roof of the mast buildings even in the horrible weather. After braving the walk to the summit we were delighted the rain finally stopped as we dried off and changed our clothes for the journey home. 

​Well home was the initial plan but when we spotted how close Knockroe was to our route we took the very short detour to log one more High Point for the weekend. We were definitely finished this time, next stop home! County High Points Completed, Plenty extra High Points and another Mountain Challenge too, a very successful weekend.