gerrym on Bencroy

I approached Bencroy from the SW side of Benbrack, some 3 miles to the NE, following a waymarked trail which heads over point 415 m (A (H078 214)), passes a series of little loughs and drops down to a quiet high road at B (H067 205). From here there is a good perspective of the hill, with its gently sloping and heavily forested W slopes and the steep drops to the E. Follow the road towards the 4 sizeable transmitter stations nestling among the hills with good lines of sight E to W for thier signals. Alot of the moorland around here is posted as being part of an experimental grouse project - there are signs of release pens but i did not happen to see any grouse.
At the last base station turn onto the hillside and follow the forest edge for 15 minutes to reach the summit area of Bencroy. There is a small quarry high on the S side and a track drops down from here to the road and a carpark - a good access point to this and the following two hills of Knockacullion and Slieve Anierin, the views of which from atop Bencroy are quite impressive. Contour around the hillside below a series of rocky bluffs and then drop down to the col with Knockacullion. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/416/comment/2369/

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eflanaga on Bencroy

(Climbed 06.02.19) The third and final peak (See Aneirin & Knockacullion for early stages of walk) and only a short distance north-east of Knockacullion. Once again the long grass, gorse and marshy ground make walking that bit more difficult. However, rather than making a beeline straight for the summit and dropping to around 400m, I decided to arc around to the left maintaining a height of about 450m and heading for the obvious light green strip on Bencroy’s southern slope which curves up towards the summit. From a distance it looks like a path. In reality it is slightly rush strewn marshy ground. Nevertheless, it didn’t prove particularly difficult to negotiate. As I neared the final ascent of the mountain I noticed a large flat boulder which appeared a good spot to take lunch. I reckoned that the summit would be as bereft of rocks as Knockabell was so decided to have lunch here, but not until I had made Bencroy’s summit. I divested myself of my pack and climbed the remaining 30 metres or so to the summit unencumbered, returning to the rock to take a leisurely lunch in the warm afternoon sunshine. For the return journey, rather than retracing my steps back to the base of Knockacullion maintaining higher ground I decided to go as the crow flies directly to its eastern cliff edge (C (H036 176)). This meant dropping to a height of about 400 metres to the valley floor. It was rather tough going in the boggy ground and thick gorse before climbing up again to the saddle below the cliff. I hugged the cliff until Lough Nabellbeg came into view and then made for the left side of the Lough, passing the remains of what was perhaps a shepherd's shelter. I eventually found a sheep-track across the raised ground on the Lough's left bank (D (H034 170)). I noticed a discarded beer and gas keg embedded in the ice which persisted on the Lough’s southern end. I wouldn’t presume to speculate as to how, or why, they got to be there. The sheep-path took me to within site of the plantation at Gortnawaun, which I had edged earlier in the morning to climb ridge to the cliff-tops (see Slieve Aneirin). From here I was able to line up the remainder of the walk with a telegraph pole which I knew to be just to the west of the track used for the start of the climb to Slieve Aneirin. A couple of streams and some marshy ground later I reached the track and plodded down it back to the car. The only living creature encountered throughout the entire day - a badger which ran for cover about ten metres in front of me as I descended Bencroy. Overall, a pleasant enough walk after a freezing and disappointing mist-shrouded morning. Would I be in a hurry to do it again? Probably not, but if you appreciate solitude, like to get ‘far from the maddening crowd’ and don’t mind the trudging I would recommend it. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/416/comment/2194/

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Harry Goodman visits

I climbed Bencroy on 19 June 2008 as part of a circular walk over Slieve Anierin and Knockacullion. Although I walked to the summit at as shown on the Mountain Views list, I noted that this reference did not correspond with the high point shown on the OS I Sheet 26 at E (H049 191) (513m) some 400m further east. There is no point shown on the map at 518m. The top is quite expansive and featureless with a few bumps any of which at a glance could be high points.Has anyone any comments on the difference in the MR and height between Mountain Views and OSI. The OSI high point is 513m. There is no point on the map showing 518m. If in doubt do both. I also used the approach up the light green strip on Bencroy's southern slope described by eflanaga in climb dated 06. 02. 19. The walk back was along the moorland below the Slieve Anierin , Knockacullion, Bencroy ridge to the start point at F (H03200 14700). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/416/comment/3193/

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walker_hollick on Bencroy

From Drumshanbo take unclassified road to Aghacashel. After passing Aghacashel PO and going over a bridge take a left turn (signposted Ballinagleragh). Continue on for a few miles,
eventually passing through a forest and onto open moorland. Shortly after park at a layby on the right hand side with a waymarker and signposts for Slieve Anierin Way (GR G (H188 053)). Take a track on the left of the road through what appear to be mine workings. When the track reaches
a rather indeterminate ending you are a short distance from the unmarked summit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/416/comment/1451/

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Three summits on the top

I climbed this coming from Slieve Anierin . I started in the tiny Aghacashel village where there is a small layby about 50 meters up from the shop ; there is enough space for 3-4 cars. If you don't fancy this option you can start your walk on the country road on the east side of Bencroy; there's a small car park with picnic tables there: H (H054 189). At the top there is three lumps ; it was difficult to tell which one was the true summit but I concluded it was the most westerly facing of the three. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/416/comment/19874/

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