And killmaFox too, and maOwl, and maRabbit...

On a recent walk I was quite wary when I saw what I thought was a dog guarding a tent near the summit of Kilmacomma. Not to be deterred from my summitteering I engaged in various stealth moves to negotiate the final 50 metres to the summit area through the heather. I thought I was good as the dog didn't budge an inch. It was only when I stumbled on a large printed owl full of holes that the reality hit me. The summit area of Kilmacomma now appears to be used as an archery training location, and the 'dog' was actually a large foam model of a fox. The 'tent' was a large covered foam block, no doubt designed to capture wayward arrows.

The summit stone ring is quite large and impressive with a tree or two growing in the centre. Various archery related poles, boundary tape and broken shafts litter the area. Cryptic signs guide the way around what must be a course. During my descent through the trees I came across various canvas prints of wildlife affixed to trees and foam blocks. It was interesting that I saw no warning signs or other indications of archery until I almost stumbled into the large foam fox. I wonder if this is still Coillte forest or if a portion is privately owned? Future walkers beware potential arrows whizzing past. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1277/comment/19887/

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Ring fort Kilnamack Forest

Climbed today 24/4/2014. Started at forest entrance A (S16052 19827) , room to park for several cars here head into forest on good track ignore immediate left turn just past Coillte barrier continue on path which goes steadily uphill, come to a T junction take a right turn and after about a further 100mts take another right continue on this track and after approx 1.9km from start point take a faint track through trees up to obvious high point of this hill, there is a large ring fort at the top. Fine views towards the Knockmealdowns, Slievenamon and Comeraghs, Follow same route back to start point. Total time from car to car 45mins and a distance of approx 4.3km. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1277/comment/16035/

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Caisleán na Muice

I was puzzled by the apparent ring fort on top of this hill. I was more puzzled when looking at old 6" and 25" maps the ring fort was identified as "Wood Tower, in ruins".
After a little trawling of old books I found the following entry in Canon Powers " Placenames of the Decies" , listed under Killmacombe,

" Wood Tower (O.M.), Caisleán na Muice – “The
Pig’s Castle”; built in 1814 – minus mortar – to
celebrate the fall of Bonaparte.

Surprising and interesting. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1277/comment/17662/

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Kilcomma`s crowning Glory

Ring Fort Kilcomma Hill Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1277/comment/16057/

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