Hazelwood College

Torc Walk 2021

After months of online learning, uncertainty about the Junior Cert and upheaval of their exam Year -the 3rd years finally finished their exams on Friday and headed to Killarney for two days of fresh air, great views and chatting with friends. Well done to all on making it to the top.

Four seasons in a day

Torc Mountain 2018

The four hour walk as part of Mental Health Week 2018, took the students from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft) in just over 2 hours. Over the 5km we experienced every weather from beautiful sunshine to driving wind and rain at the top. After a quick bite to eat in the shelter from the wind it was back down to the warmth and sunshine. Unfortunately no spectacular views from the top this year, maybe next time…

Torc Mountain

Images from the recent Climb of Torc Mountain by Transition Years

The four hour walk took the students from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft) in just over 2 hours. The walk took the steep tourist climb from the base of the waterfall to the top of the waterfall. They followed the Old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton mountains until they reached the south face of Torc. From there it was a trek along the OPW constructed trail to the top where a fantastic 360′ panoramic view was to seen on what was a cold but clear day. In the northly wind it was a crisp 7′C at the top.

Torc Hike

Transition Year Students recently attempted to climb Torc Mountain in County Kerry as part of Hazelwood College’s Mental Health Week activities. The walk started out in some slight rain and slack wind, unfortunately it wasn’t reflective of what was happening at the top of the mountain. The walk turned into one of the most memorable events in years, challenging the positive mental health of each of the participants. With only 300m left to get to the top we had to abandon the walk and head for home such was the strength of the wind approaching the top.

Here are some photos of the day.

Hazelwood College Transition Year students are pictured taking a break in the course of their hike up Torc Mountain. The students participated in the event as part of Mental Health week. The benefits of physical well being for mental health were underlined in the course of their preparations for the walk.

Hazelwood College teacher, Ms Gemma Curtin (left) pictured with Hazelwood College Transition Year students Ciara O’Callaghan (centre) and Edel O’Flynn (right) in the course of their walk up Torc Mountain. The walk, as part of Mental Health Week, highlighted ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’.

Hazelwood College Transition Year students pictured by Torc Waterfall at the culmination of their walk as part of Mental Health Week. Pictured are Back row (left to right): Mary-Kate Fehin, Aisling Enright, Millie Mulcahy, Eliza Reidy, Clodagh Walsh, Mairíde Bennis. Middle row (left to right): Edel O’Flynn, Ciara O’Flynn, Ciara O’Callaghan, Katie Ryan, Molly Kirwan, Megan Nolan, Amy Ryan, Martin Daly, Eoin Enright, Ava Mullane, Neasa Fahy and Jake O’Sullivan, Front row (left to right) Barry Murphy, Ronan Cahill, Michael Brennan and Ben Murphy.

Hazelwood College Transition Year student Martin Daly participates in the Torc Mountain Walk Challenge as part of Mental Health Week.

Hazelwood College Transition Year students pictured in the course of their walk up Torc Mountain, as part of their Mental Health Week Activities. Pictured are back row (left to right) Mary-Kate Fehin and Neasa Fahy. Front row (left to right): Amy Ryan and Ava Mullane

Other Gallery Photos:

Torc Mountain Challenge 2015

The Transition Year class recently climbed Torc Mountain in Kilarney, Co. Kerry, as part of Hazelwood College’s Mental Health Week activities.

The students set out from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to get to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft).

A number of fit students with an enthusiastic Mr. Lambe undertook to set a record to get to the top of the climb, and set out at a steady jogging pace. This in turn set a challenging pace for the remainder of the group.

The first of the climbers reached the top in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes with the last of the climbers arriving twenty five minutes later. These times were especially impressive considering they were a full thirty minutes faster than last year and one hour faster than the slowest group in recent years to get to the top.

The walk took the steep tourist climb from the base of the waterfall to the top of the waterfall. From there the students followed the Old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton mountains until they reached the south face of Torc. From there it was a trek along the OPW constructed trail to the top where a fantastic 360′ panoramic view was nowhere to be seen. In what was unfortunate luck shortly before reaching the summit heavy cloud cover and rain set in, and to further add to our unfortunate timing the rain and cloud cleared shorthly after we commenced out descent.

Regardless an enjoyable trip was had by all in our annual Mental Health Week challenge.

Here are some photos from the day … and one of the view we missed as promised!