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Crownarad 20th May 2006
Crownarad is about 10 km southwest of Killybegs, Co Donegal off the R263. For our Club this was a walk that had never before been attempted.
Our meeting point was a viewing area (G 670 758) above Fintragh Bay on the road from Killybegs to Kilcar. All the omens for a good day's walking were present with the sun reflecting from the water in Donegal Bay and fine views over to Sligo and beyond. On the far coast the breakers, whipped up by the fresh breeze, could be seen crashing on the shore.
At our starting point (G 664 788) and on the lower slopes of Crownarad there was evidence of very dense forestation in the past but this all had been recently cleared.
For the first kilometre we had the benefit of tracks and a bridge over the Glennaddragh River laid by An Coillte. At this point we made our way towards the saddle between spot height 381 and the trig point 493 keeping to the higher ground so as not to lose height, to a point on the slope above the saddle and then south to the trig point. These two legs provided the steepest walking on the route. As a result of the amount of rainfall in the previous days the ground was quite wet underfoot, even on the high ground, and care had to be taken not to become ensnared in marshes denoted by the very green sphagnum moss.
From the trig point through spot height 471 there is almost 2 km of a ridge walk with some of the most amazing views available in this part of Donegal. Down below us to the south could be seen Fintragh Beach and across Donegal Bay the escarpment of Ben Bulben. Some of the views available to us were of the Bluestacks, Slieve League and Killybegs deep-sea fishing port. Embedded in the ridge was a spar from a British flying boat. This could be seen silhouetted against the skyline from quite a distance away.
While the sun shone most of the time it was very windy along the ridge and we could see rain clouds in the distance. We did have one heavy shower although by the time we had put on our wet gear, as so often happens, it had cleared away.
For our descent we contoured our way downwards, taking care to avoid crags and keeping as far as possible to sheep tracks.
The total walking time was a little over 4 hours with a distance of 10 km and a height gained of 390m. The consensus was that it was good walk with many possibilities of being adapted to a much longer route. While on the day navigation was not difficult no one should undertake a walk such as this without appropriate clothing and the ability to read a map and use a compass.
James
Rathlin Island 27th May, 2007
On 27th May 16 walkers made the boat trip to Rathlin. It was a beautiful day for walking. However in order to make the most of the day we took the bus out to the West lighthouse and began the day with a bit of bird watching. The RSPB were there to help distinguish between puffins and kittiwakes etc. The scenery on the 5 mile walk back to the bay was incredible with views of the island itself and across to the north Antrim coast, Donegal and the Mull of Kintyre. We had our lunch as we watched the seals basking on the rocks. Some chose the unhealthier option of chips etc from the chip van!! There was then time to walk the 2 miles to Rue point- another beautiful walk past Ushet lake where the annual model yacht race takes place and on to watch more seals sleeping on the rocks and slipping gently into the water. Everyone agreed that it was a brilliant day. If you ever want to 'get away from it all' Rathlin is the place to go.
Anne B
Buncrana Coastal Path - 1st July 2007
This weeks ramble took seven of us along the very scenic, and historically interesting coastal path that runs next to the Swilly from Castle Bridge, or Swan Park, at Buncrana, and along the beaches of Porthaw, Stragill and Linsfort. The weather was warm and balmy with a soft breeze. A refreshing shower blew in from Fanad on our return journey – a shower we walked through and into a hot afternoon sun. Soaking up the sunshine we dandered along and sat on a few of the thoughtfully placed summer benches to take in the views across the lough. Our eyes followed the ferry which tugged its way from Buncrana to Rathmullan, and were drawn upwards to the distinctive bumpy Knockalla ridge, and down to the beaches at Portsalon and around to Fanad Head.
The walk brought some in the party back in years to school outings, picnics at Loreto House, (now used as a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation) walks on the beach, and the chance to see, (or even just imagine) the nuns going for a dip. School was out today, but this walk some 40 (or so!) years on, itself started out as a bit of a history tour. A few landmarks along the way were worth noting.
To begin we crossed the distinctive arch structure of Castle Bridge built in early 1700s and were then immediately faced with Buncrana Castle, built in 1718 on what was the original settlement site of Buncrana. Wolfe Tone was reportedly housed here before being transported to Dublin jail after his arrest of the Swilly coast in 1798. The stone 'jug' in the car park was possibly a gate lodge to the Castle, and some think it could even have served as a small jail. Next, sitting by the Crana River, is O'Doherty's Keep, originally home to the O'Doherty's, Lords of Inishowen, and built in early 1400s, or earlier. Along the path the fortification that is Ned's point, came into view. This is one of seven forts in Lough Swilly which made the Swilly one of the most fortified entries in Ireland. Our next stop was at the grave of Friar Hegarty, killed during the penal years, and whose head is reportedly to have bounced a number of times leaving visible indents in the ground. Despite a finger tip search no indents were found.
We followed the path on through banks of dwarf oak, willow, ferns and heather and noted a couple of purple orchids along the way.
This is an easy and well maintained coastal path walk, suitable for all, with options (tides permitting) to extend along the lovely beaches of Stragill and Linsfort, empty and peaceful beaches which provide plenty of interest with their Dalradian shist rock formations dating back 600 million years – give or take a few years.
The walk could be shortened or added to by using the road links at a number of points along the way. A few eateries and hostelries in the town could on the other hand extend it.
Sheena and Patricia
Ards Forest Park 12th August 2007
On Sunday 12th August 7 walkers met at the Capuchin Friary within the Ards Forest Park, Cresslough, to embark on the club's first walk there. We firstly paid a vist to the Friary and then set off on out 4 hour walk. As we set off seals and salmon were seen close to the water's edge- not a common sight for Sperrin Hill Walkers!
Our journey took us on paths through shrubbery, then onto lovely small beaches, rocky shorelines and then into the forest- this was particuarly pleasing to one of our walkers who seems to have developed an interest in trees. We returned via the beaches just as the rain came on.
We had wonderful views of Doe Castle with it's history involving the Flight of the Earls, the Downings, Dunfanaghy and the Derryveagh mountains.
The walk and the banter was enjoyed by all and the walk will be on again in the near future.
Ann McCullagh
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