Located on working farm but access usually possible on guided tour

The historic Hill of Uisneach is located on a privately owned working farm off the R390 between Loughnavalley and Killare.
Unauthorised access is NOT allowed because of the risks due to farm machinery, livestock and other hazards.
Access is only available through guided tours.
See www.uisneach.ie. Tel: +353 (0) 87 A (N718 955)0 Email: tours@uisneach.ie
Tours begin at the entrance to Lunestown House Lodge, Eircode N91 R6C9.
No dogs are allowed on tours and participants must remain in the presence of the Guide
and act in accordance with the instructions of the Guide thoughout the tour.
There was a small Bealtaine celebration on 5th May 2021.
Some footage of this event can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0hQ3OWIxO-4

Tours are running again following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
See https://uisneach.ie/product/public-tours/

. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1515/comment/20815/

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Hostile Attitude

I took a detour up here on a bright winter's Saturday a few years ago after seeing tourist board signage at Slieve Na Calliagh promoting this hill and a number of other attractions across the north midlands. There was a reasonable scattering of cars in the car park at the entrance near an empty office and cafe area. Seeing nobody around, I ambled a few hundred yards of a boreen uphill, finding a few pleasant-looking ringforts as well as a series of monuments, a trig pillar, and nice views over the countryside. In a corner of the site, a guide was leading around a tour group.

On my way down, I was accosted by a lady (presumably the owner) who asked what I was doing. I said I had been looking at the hill. Quite snappily, she told me I had no business being there, that it was a private working farm and that entry was allowed only to pre-booked tour guests, and she asked me what was I going to do about it. I told her it was a bit late now for anything, that I wasn't aware of any restrictions on access (there were no Keep Out or No Entry signs on the area I'd walked) and that I was heading away anyway, so we left it at that, and I returned to my car and left.

I'd have happily paid an entrance fee had one been notified or requested, or even bought a coffee (or more) had an opportunity been offered, but given her hostile attitude and manner I wasn't minded to volunteer to do either.

Needless to say, I won't be back. There are plenty more hills to walk. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/1515/comment/23267/

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