Nire Valley Drop going from strength to strength.

                                 They have done it again and this time it was even better!

Yes the proud people of Ballymacarbry,Nire Valley and Nire G.F.C organised one awesome mountainbike event that will live long in the memory.The organisation of the event was simply top class.It just proves what a mountain community can do when it comes together like this and shows belief by embracing an alternative mountain sport and in turn bringing a different type of tourist to our mountains leading to an even wider appreciation of what our ranges have to offer!
http://www.nirevalley.com/
http://ballymacarbry.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nire.gaa
http://www.havenpartnership.com/

In the days leading up to the event there was a buzz and excitement on Facebook and Twitter and when many status updates including the logistics were revealed;

40 Stewarts
4 course marshalls
3 registration
1 DJ
2 photo quads
1 ambulance & crew
1bike para medic
9 radios
1 base station 
15 catering
1 Garda
1 broom quad
2 quad marshalls
And a whole load of fun.

one could sense something special was in the offing! 

So there was only one thing to do get up to this area of the Comeragh mountains and witness firsthand The Nire Valley Drop! 

On arrival at a thronged Ballymacarbry Community Centre we were very kindly directed by stewards to some of the best vantage spots to see the action.The backwoods of Ballymacarbry high above Clonmel was to be our viewing area and it wasn't long before the action unfolded.We were treated to 190 riders of all abilities making this epic cross country journey through some of the wildest and remote terrain the Comeragh's has to offer.There were accents from all parts of Ireland taking part.The weather also played its part windy,clear and mainly dry.

  

This event clearly has a future now given the grassroots support from the community and the increasing participation of cyclists.Plans are firmly afoot for next years event scheduled for Sunday 26 October 2014.One lovely remark from the organisers summed up everything in the aftemath.It was a comment about a participants ranking "You enjoyed the day is what is important,not where you finished"

 Now that this has been such a success it will inspire other mountain communities (e.g. Kilrossanty could organise a downhill event from Seefin?) to follow suit with other events as covered here in April 2012.

http://waterfords-mountains.blogspot.ie/2012_04_01_archive.html

Thanks once again people of the Nire, Ballymacarbry and surrounds take a bow! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

International weather forecasters covering the Comeragh/Monavullagh and Knockmealdown mountains.

Our mountain ranges are being well served by the following international weather sites;

Mountain-forecast.com=

                                           

Comeragh mountains http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Comeragh-Mountains/forecasts/792

Knockmealdown mountains http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Knockmealdown/forecasts/794

Snow-forecast.com=

Seefin, Monavullagh mountains http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Seefin/9day/mid

Coumfea West,Comeragh mountains http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Coumfea-West/9day/mid

Knockanaffrin,Comeragh mountains http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Knockanaffrin/9day/mid

Knockmealdown,Knockmealdown mts. http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Knockmealdown/9day/mid

Knocknafallia,Knockmealdown mts.http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Knockmealdown/9day/mid

yr.no=

yr.no is a Norwegian website for weather forecasting and other meteorological information. The site is a joint responsibility of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and yes they cover the Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains.

Knockmealdown mountains summit http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Other/Knockmealdown_Mountains/

Comeragh mountains summit http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Munster/Comeraghmountain/

Comeragh mountains base http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Munster/Comeragh_Mountains/
Waterford weather=
This local weather service provides up to date information on weather conditions in the foothills of the Monavullagh and Knockmealdown mountains.They are often the first to carry images of severe weather conditions in our 3 mountain ranges.
Monavullagh mountains base http://www.weatherlink.com/user/kilgobnet/
Knockmealdown mountains base http://www.weatherlink.com/user/cappoquin/
Please visit Waterford Weather http://www.waterfordcityweather.com/index.php

So at a time when Waterford and the South East region is under so much attack on other fronts it is great to have these international services covering our mountain weather so they deserve our help by availing and updating where possible!

Best places for Snow in our mountains.

Year on year when there are snowfalls on our mountains the most common questions thrown about on local media are "Where are the best places to see the snow?"
The most common answer to this is Mahon Falls as a result large numbers of people make for this area only to be left increasingly but not always disappointed.                                                                            
Why?
 The Mahon Falls are south facing and also faces the warm Gulf stream of the sea.
Where are the best spots to see the snow so you may ask?
Well you can't drive up on to the Comeragh plateau where there is sometimes a scattering that can't be seen when down below because of the broad flat shape of its summit which pleasantly surprised me the first  time I climbed to the top.

.                                          
                                                          Summit Knockanaffrin ridge.
The Knockanaffrin ridge is north facing and crucially away from the sea.This spot can be easily seen from Rathgormack and with the rugged peaks a scattering of snow can give the impression of an Alpine resort in all its glory.Also makes for great photographs.The good folk of the Clonmel area have known this for many a year and have introduced generations of their children to sledding on the northern foothills.

Comeragh plateau and Knockanaffrin ridge.

Incidentally it is often spoken among workers in the horticultural industry( the orchards,Kildalton College and Estates of South Tipp/Kilkenny) that a shower corridor exists along the Suir Valley bringing showers along Slievenamon and Knockanaffrin ridge.This was most in evidence in early April 2010 when over a foot of snow fell on Slievenamon through such shower activity.I have had experience of this in the past having been involved in the horticultural scene in the area for a year and a half and can certainly vouch that there is an increased shower activity given the right conditions.

                                             Playing on the slopes of Slievenamon April 2010.

   

A snowy Comeragh plateau and Knockanaffrin ridge from the slopes of Slievenamon on the other side of the Suir Valley.

Nire Valley.

Probably the best spots for holding snow are the north facing cliffs and Coums of the Nire valley via Ballymacarbry.3 years ago there was still snow on these cliff tops in early May.

Knockmealdowns between Knockmealdown and Knockmoylan. 

The Knockmealdown mountains can sometimes attract light snow from a westerly direction and being more inland it may not extend as far east as the Comeragh's.Snow on the Knockmealdowns on occasion forms deep drifts along the boundary wall especially between Knockmealdown and Knockmoylan.

On the rare occasions our mountains hold sufficient snow to lower levels the following slopes are worth a try for the more adventurous ski/snowboard enthusiast.

Comeragh skiing video.

       

Knockanaffrin south facing slope,

Coumfea West slope-Comeraghs

Seefin west facing slope-Monavullaghs

Knockmealdown west slope,

Knocknafallia south-facing-Knockmealdowns.

All listed as Ireland's skiing and snowsports destinations on;

http://www.snow-forecast.com/countries

 

So the next time the snow arrives on the mountains and it will, don't just automatically head for the Mahon falls area there's much more choice so get out there and enjoy our beautiful varied mountain ranges.Don't be afraid to drop in to the local shop or pub in the numerous mountain villages on your travels also talk to the locals as there are no greater sources of information  regarding the best locations and great knowledge of the miriad of roads leading to the best slopes.Enjoy!

Note in this view of the Comeragh/Monavullagh range from Ballygunner Waterford City,the marked difference in snow cover between the side facing the sea and the north facing inland Knockanaffrin ridge!

*Always be prepared for winter conditions when visiting the mountains drive safely,wear adequate clothing,always tell others where you are going and remember most mountain roads will "not" be gritted.