I took the attached photograph of the southern flank of Knocknamanagh from the northern slopes of nearby Caoinkeen. By way of background I should tell you that, earlier in the day, I had walked up the Erneen valley along a gently rising boreen but I left it at V98257 64624 B to ascend Knocknamanagh some several hundred meters before V990 649 A being the location noted by simon3 as suitable for a straight up ascent . It occurred to me that I might encounter less steep ground by following my chosen trajectory. In any event, since I never reached V990 649 A I didn’t gather any up-to-date intelligence that might have proved useful to those coming after me. It’s worth bearing in mind that simon3 wrote his notes in 2004 so new data would be desirable if only to confirm the status quo. I am now quite vexed with myself because it appears to me that someone has gone to trouble of constructing a mighty zig-zag road most of the way to the summit of Knocknamanagh commencing at V990 649 A , and if one had the owner’s permission, the burden of the ascent could be considerably reduced by taking that road. I have not seen any evidence of this road or track on any map or aerial photograph. Perhaps I simply didn’t look carefully enough? Or perhaps it was only recently constructed? I am wondering what activity will be serviced by the road? Farming? Forestry? Or perhaps something more exotic. It would be a handy escape route for walkers on Knocknamanagh if anyone got into difficulties. Perhaps some of our Cork members can shed some light on this development?
POSTSCRIPT: At this stage I'm wondering if I have misunderstood my own photograph. Maybe the road in the picture is much closer to the mouth of the valley than the head of the valley? Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/218/comment/18317/