Killarney

<h3>Celebrating this year&#8217;s Winter Solstice will take place on Sunday, December 18 in aid of the Kerry Hospice Foundation Palliative Care.</h3>
The astronomical calendar is getting closer to what is the shortest day of the year &#8211; on Wednesday, December 21 &#8211; but as it falls on a week day this year, organisers are planning to have a Sunday Solstice to allow people to travel and have time to savour the day.
 These ancient sacred summits, &lsquo;The Paps of An&uacute;&rsquo;, resemble a pair of breast shaped hills known as &lsquo;The Paps&rsquo; in the Derry Na Saggart Mountains close to the Cork Kerry border. The Paps have long been associated with mythology, mysticism and majesty. The Goddess An&uacute; represents all that is earthly, fertile, abundant and protective.
 With kind permission of local landowners Sean and Mary O&rsquo;Donoghue, Glenflesk, and neighbour Jimmy Moynihan, the walk departs from Garries Bridge &#8211; the first bridge after St Agatha&rsquo;s Church, Glenflesk, meeting at 6.30am.
 A long walk in darkness to the summit, it has two strenuous inclines, leading to the Western Pap at 690 metres. At approximately 8.45am sunrise and craic begins, with Glenflesk&#8217;s finest musicians Derry and Rosie Healy, setting the pace for a Kerry polka set, followed by an ancient ceremonial blessing by another Glenflesk native, Mary Cronin. The trek will be led by expert mountaineer Donie Mulcahy and crew.
 A donation of &euro;20 will be collected on the morning of the walk. It is compulsory to bring a head torch, warm clothes, hiking boots, waterproof jacket and pants, gloves, hat, food and a drink. A good level of fitness is required. Guides will be on duty for gear check before departure.

Sunday Solstice on The Paps of Anú

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