gerrym on Croaghanirwore

(see Knockgorm for first part of walk).Croaghanirwore (isn't that a fantastic name)is separated from the central Bluestack ridge by a deep river valley - it is a lenghty hill aligned NE to SW, being wet and boggy until near the top when rock shows through, number of minor summits. From summit of Croaghbane take bearing on col with Croaghbarnes and descend some 600 ft SE. Fantastic views left into bleak Owendoo River valley snaking along backed by steep slopes of Croaghbarnes. To the right are completing a circuit of Lough Belshade which can be seen if move to other side of the ridge. Ahead get good view of the little loughs on the summit of Croaghbarnes which is only one metre shy of inclusion on this excellent website. From the col it is a short climb to the top of Croaghbarnes,passing the loughs to the summit at 499 m. Drop down SE to river valley which is rather wet with long grass ( head of Corraber River valley which used earlier to reach L Belshade). There is now a climb of some 250m to the summit of Croaghanirwore over wet grassy ground. Reach a false summit and cross a gulley before a short climb to the small summit cairn. There are extensive views in all directions but especially back into the heart of the Bluestacks around L Belshade (see pic). To the N past Gaugin the Derryveagh Mountains are laid out and to the W Slieve League with the Sligo Mountains over Donegal Bay. Drop down SE into the next river valley to the col with Croaghnageer (see for next part of walk). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/363/comment/1240/

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Trip report part 2

Climbed June 7th – From top of Croaghnageer (see for first part of walk) I took a bearing of 309 degrees NW dropping down the fairly short distance on to upper part of river valley between them. Here the terrain was much firmer and after crossing the river (stream) I made my way towards the obvious swathe of green running down from a breach in the ridge of Croaghaniwore. About twenty metres up this ‘track’ I veered left and scaled the eastern side of the mountain in a zig-zag fashion (I was beginning to feel the weight of my pack).Normally, the climb to the top should not pose any great difficulty. Once again the views from the top are excellent, enhanced as they were on this occasion by the beautiful evening sunshine. The wind turbines over in the direction of Barnesmore reflected brightly in the sunshine, and like its near neighbour provided stunning vies into the main Bluestacks across the valley. Indeed, all around the countryside was looking at its best. From here I turned towards Croaghbarnes dropping down fairly steeply through mixture of rocky and long tussock grass eventually flattening out onto the saddle dividing the Corabber (SW) & Cronamuck (NE) River valleys, before climbing up onto Croaghbarnes. Here I found a suitable camping site about 150m short of the top. I set camp and retired early determined to get an early start the following morning. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/363/comment/2384/

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madfrankie on Croaghanirwore

Man, was this a tough one. The Blue Stacks tend towards rugged, but our approach from the south-west (from the track which leads most people to Lough Belshade) cannot be recommended. Endless false summits and a convoluted landscape that I did not discern on the map. And the midges didn't help. Probably better done as a longer walk from Barnesmore Gap. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/363/comment/609/

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Hard Won But Well Worth It

I have made a few attempts to get to Croaghanirwore, but have always been beaten back by bad weather on the occasions I've tried. I've always used the same route, starting at Barnes Gap on the N15, going up Browns Hill, and on to Croaghnageer. Croaghnageer was always as far as I'd got until this successful attempt when I started in gloomy conditions, but ended up in beautiful weather, although very cold. It felt exhilarating to be finally standing on the summit, at least partly because of its inaccessability. It is a long walk over difficult terrain, with no tracks or trails on the little walked summits which have to be crossed to get here. There are also some steep climbs on the way, particularly up Browns Hill and the northwest slopes of Croaghnageer. The reward is a real feeling of wilderness deep in the Bluestacks, with stunning views around the rest of the range, virtually all traces of civilisation hidden by the surrounding peaks. A manificent walk on this route - one of the best I've had, made all the better by being hard won. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/363/comment/17893/

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Bluestacks Circuit

After the careful descent from Croaghnageer, ascend one of the grassy rakes, spotted on your descent, and then over more rocky ground to the summit. Which is a spot height in a kidney shaped contour ring, with a re-entrant descending from it, which provides a sheltered place for your lunch. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/363/comment/4713/

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