Splendid Isolation

Started from old forestry entrance (C (H006 304)). This may seem distant but it was useful in completing a full and arduous circuit of the plateau above Glenfarne. Road is followed SW and in May it had primroses and flowering hedgerows, with views across the river Shannon to the precipitious flanks of Playbank.

The well signed Leitrim Way was met at D (G986 289) and pleasant walking continued through stands of forest, past pools teaming with tadpoles and calves frolicking in fields. Just past the post office (E (G971 298)) can continue with Lietrim Way or take the road left which climbed higher and gave better views.

Reach a double set of forestry gates with plenty of room for parking if wanted to start from here. There is a spectacular waterfall and bridge over the river - followed the river uphill beside a narrow ravine with native trees in contrast to the uniform ranks of conifers. Soon left trees behind and easy going towards the summit area ahead. Mature heather appeared and past a stone enclosure and square blocks of stone before the summit area.

The trig pillar stands on a rocky rise overlooking the bleached rock ringing beautiful Lough Strand - an oasis amongst the bleakness. Reached in just over 2 hours and views were certainly worth it. W to Truskmore, Teivebuan, Castelgal Hills, Ox Mtns and Atlantic, S & E over Lough Allen to Playbank and Cuilcaigh and N to mountains of Donegal.

It was surreal clattering over the slates of rock around Lough Strand as a northerly breeze lapped water at its edge. The sun came and went on my face as i enjoyed the tranquility and beauty of this place. Several more hours of walking lay ahead for me to take in Ballaghnabahy Top and Naweeloge.

Cracking top to take in on own with not much strain from forestry gates or the option to take in other tops or the entirety of the plateau, stunning views and very isolated up on the top! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/625/comment/6658/

Read Less

madfrankie on Lackagh Mountain

Viewed from Ballaghabehy, Lackagh's long squat profile seemed far away to the southwest. And at times it was tedious, as we trudged for 3km across brown heather and hags, though enlivened by a few small lakes, before we gently ascended the broad summit ridge. The trig-pillared summit sits at the southern end of the ridge, above Lough Strand. Old telecommunication equipment lies rusting on the ground, but otherwise you get the feeling that nobody has been here for a long time.
Again, superlative views: Cuilcagh, Slievenakilla, Lough Allen and Knocknarea, to name but a few.
We were told that there were the remains of old mines somewhere up here, but we didn't see anything answering that description. Nor did we see any traces of beehive cells, apparently the remains of the monastery of Kilnaile founded in 563 by St. Natalis.
From the summit we descended south-east till we met the corner of a block of forestry, and followed it's edge east until we arrived back to the Leitrim Way, right beside the gate and our parked car. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/625/comment/4509/

Read Less

November 9th, 2019

Taken on a crisp November afternoon, looking in the direction of Lough Allen, to the south. Access to this mountain has been made easier by the recent construction of a large windfarm. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/625/comment/20688/

Read Less

Lackagh or Boleybrack?

My approach to Lackagh mountain also known as Boleybrack was from the West side of the mountain. There is a road leading to F (G90078 31002) where there is a road leading into a forest with unauthorized access signs, a windfarm also with unauthorized access signs but a third is a farm track with no signs. This track zig zags between the windfarm and forest for about two kilometers before it forks, the path to the right will provide a more direct approach to the summit. The obvious track ends about 500 meters later and from here there is no option but to bog slog West for about two kilometres to the trig. Lackagh Lough will break up the monotony on the way and on the way back the views over to the rest of the Dartry mountains will help. Meaves cairn atop Knocknarea can be clearly seen. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/625/comment/20463/

Read Less

Bog burst

According to newspaper reports there was a bog burst which wiped away some of the road about 7 or 8 km to the south east late June 2020. This was at place called Shass mtn. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/625/comment/20804/

Read Less