padodes on Carrigvore

Carrigvore stretches out a slender finger northwest into the Liffey Valley. At its tip, it touches the unique area of Coronation Plantation. From what I gather, this was one of the first plantations in Ireland and goes back to the 1830s, when the landowner, the Marquis of Downshire, decided to have trees planted here for the betterment of his estate. It takes its name from the coronation of William IV in 1831. You will come upon a rather unexpected obelisk at A (O0958 1290) (see photo), which commemorates this project of afforestation. The weathered inscription is partly illegible at present, but I have seen one historian describe it as saying: “Coronation Plantation, Lordship of Blessington, County of Wicklow. This plantation in the Brocky Mountains of 500 Irish (acres) laid out by the Most Honourable the Marquis of Downshire”. From what I have been able to decipher myself, however, the cramped wording on the stone would run somewhat differently.

The trees in the plantation, some of which are visible in the photo, are stately Scots pine in open groves, with here and there an intermingling of oak. Since the average life of a Scots pine is 350 years, those in Coronation Plantation are now into the second half of their natural cycle. Although they have grown well in Wicklow’s acidic soil, it appears they haven’t been able to propagate as they would in their Highland home, and so are doomed to disappear.

This whole area, I think, is often missed by walkers who are intent on getting to the top of nearby Carrigvore, Gravale or Kippure, but there’s a lot of enjoyment to be had here, too, wandering aimlessly over the wavy moor-grass from grove to grove, on the lookout for red squirrel, or following a fringe of trees downstream, along the tumbling course of a youthful Liffey. It’s an enjoyment that, a handful of generations hence, will have ceased to be. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/133/comment/3334/

Read Less

I'll be back!!

Climbed Carrigvore on the 28-5-10 on a very changeable evening.Took the straight forward route from Sally's Gap (R115/R759 road) at the crossroads travelling SW direction all the way to the top (1.1 Km). Ground was good underfoot almost "carpet like" in places and an easy 25min trip up to summit. Started for Gravale to the SW but due to a sudden change in weather from sunshine to very threatening dark cloud decided to call it a day and made for a return to base before the rain gear was tested! A lot of care was required on the descent as the Mountain had a few hidden gems in the form of large holes hidden nicely on the slope which would gladly have swallowed my leg up to the waist!.Will go for the full Carrigvore,Gravale,Duff and Mull circuit on my return next time as the view from Carrigvore teased a nice trip. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/133/comment/5959/

Read Less

Rocky top

The cheerless winter sunshine behind the granite tor that gives its name to Carrigvore (Carraig Mhór) may not look very inviting, but the tingling, icy conditions of the last few weeks have created some of the best walking conditions I can remember along the ridge that extends from here, by way of Gravale and Duff Hill, to Mullacleevaun East. The hard hand of Jack Frost has even turned the notorious peaty trenches around Gravale into dazzling crusty avenues of access. The problem with this walk is, of course, its linearity. Unless you can arrange another car at the end, there is little alternative but to retrace your steps to Carrigvore. The possibility of dropping down to the roughly parallel Military Road, as suggested in another comment, is a brave attempt at circularity, but I’m not sure it is one that appeals very greatly to weary feet shod in stiff mountain boots.

Starting from the parking area (and occasional dump) at TayNW (O1376 0876), just south of the Sally gap, it is exactly 2 kms as the crow flies, and almost as the walker walks, to the summit of Carrigvore. . Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/133/comment/3516/

Read Less

csd on Carrigvore

Carrigvore is a quick trot up from the Sally Gap. You're helped enormously by the fact that the road is already about 500 m above sea level, so the 682 m peak is easily attained. The slog up is pretty uninteresting, but the summit itself has an interesting rock formation and a deep pool (see below). This picture shows the summit with Gravale in the distance. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/133/comment/390/

Read Less

sinbadw on Carrigvore

We started from the car-park off the Military road at grid Ref TayNW (O13720 08800) and angled straight for the top of the hill. The circa 2 km distance took longer than expected (approx 40 Mins) due to a combination of a bracing gale in our teeth and numerous peat trenches . Once we had established that the rock formation and the pool were still there we turned towards Gravale and set off. The overall route we took can be seen in my additional posting. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/133/comment/1425/

Read Less