No easy way in

Attempted Knockmannon on Friday last and followed jackill's excellent instructions. However, when I followed the line of wooden poles leading upward from the third gate I could find no easy way into the forest. It's as if the forest is surrounded by a wall-like rampart of brambles and briars - fortress-like, almost.
Went along the forestry edge away to my right, but was gradually going downhill with no obvious entry to the trees. So off I went exploring the forestry edge to the left of the poles. This led to the highest open ground on Knockmannon, accessed by hopping two very adjacent fences.
Lo and behold, at the very high point of this open area there stands a mound of earth (detritus from nearby mast erection, probably) - this is right up against the forest edge. By balancing on one leg atop this mound I reckoned I was at least on a par with whatever high point lurks in the forest within.
I had a good gander all along the forest's edge for a few hundred metres in either direction and found it impenetrable so that good old mound became my high point for this trip. Incidentally, the field to the left of the poles (as you ascend) was home that day to a rather feisty herd of bullocks - avoid them if you can. I was lucky, they were way down at the far end of the field and by the time thay came prancing up to me I was at the fence within a quick leap to safety, phew. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1126/comment/24260/

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Telecommunications tower on forested top

Take the Ballyragget road from Durrow and than take the first right after factory and proceed to the village of Lisdowney. At village take second right (uphill and proceed to crossroads. At crossroads turn right and just after forest there is a lane (A (S38992 70915)). Cross three gates and follow the track. Proceed up track until you get to gate at large field. Cross field and veer right to where the wooden electricity poles go up hill cross fence here and follow track up the the forest track turn left walk 20 metres than turn right and proceed up to Telecommunications tower. There is a track for the telecommunications tower and that may be an easier way of climbing to top but not sure where that entrance is ! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1126/comment/15852/

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Walk Access no Problem.

No problems exist with access to this hill as you are spoilt for choice either via Binninea Loop walk (Loop 107) or Gathabawn Loop (National Trails) or in my case via the access road to the mast located at B (S38719 72172) which is entry to a farm tract used by numerous land oweners and leads to the forest barrier. As a matter of parking i drove up to the semi direlect farmyard which can be seen from the road. Keeping to the right at the yard follow the tract into the forest and as the summit (C (S37919 70983)) located well behind the mast continue to road end turning left beside felled area thus giving you easy access . Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1126/comment/16098/

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