Fáilte romhat go dtí nuacht na craoibhe.
If you like country walks come and join your colleagues in Dublin South RTAI as we head for North Kildare on this Wednesday morning, June 13th.
Our walk is on the canal towpath westwards from Hazelhatch towards Sallins. This is a lovely, pleasant, level walk and is well within the capacity of all walkers. The total distance from Hazelhatch to Sallins is 13km (8 miles) but perhaps you may consider this too long. It is open to walkers to make the length of the walk as long as they wish by simply turning and coming back by the same route. You may consider 4miles out and 4miles back a long enough walk or  an hour outwards and another hour return to be your total journey.
There is a train station at both Hazelhatch and Sallins. There is a train service from Heuston to Hazelhatch – leaving Heuston at 9.15am, 9.45am, 10.15am – about 20 minutes to Hazelhatch. The return  trains from Sallins are at 12.38pm, 13.29pm, 14.43pm and 14.58pm. All but the 14.43 trains from Sallins stop at Hazelhatch. The return trains from Hazelhatch to Heuston are at 12.47pm, 13.38pm and 15.07pm.
Obviously it is open to people to drive by car. Our walk begins at McEvoys pub beside the canal at Hazelhatch. If you are driving from south Dublin follow the Naas Road (N 7 ) and veer left off the motorway signposted for Newcastle. (Turn off for Avoca Shop and Cafe) Follow the sign for Newcastle. (This brings you across the motorway). In Newcastle village go straight through, with the church and school on your left. As the road swings around to the left there is a signpost indicating right to Celbridge. Follow the road towards Celbridge arriving at Hazelhatch Canal bridge. McEvoy’s pub is immediately after the bridge on your right. There is parking for about 12 or 14 cars in McEvoys. I recommend that car drivers meet in Newcastle at 10.20 and decide to car pool from there to Hazelhatch. Unfortunately McEvoys doesn’t appear to open during the day (at least it wasn’t open when I checked it out two weeks ago) so my advice is to bring your snack lunch and drinks – call it a picnic “amuigh faoin dtuaith” más mian leat. We will move off at 10.45am. And don’t forget the camera – we would welcome your photos on the branch blog as a record. Most of this walk is on clean ground and walking boots / shoes should be fine.
PS If you are taking the train to Hazelhatch there is a very short walk from the train station to McEvoys. There is also a very large car park at the train station – but I’m fairly sure that it is a pay park.
An bhfuil tú réidh chun bóthair?
Really looking forward to a big turnout on Wednesday morning.
Micheál Ó Gríofa

PS Lest I may have put a doubt in anybody’s mind, the trip to the Titanic Centre in Belfast is on Friday, 15th June. (fully booked out.)