wicklore on Clogrennan Hill

Clogrennan Hill is a part of the area of upland that stands over Carlow town. Clogrennan is only marginally higher than the surrounding bog. I initially parked at a Grotto on the road a few hundred metres to the north of the summit. I followed a track from the Grotto up to a communications mast and beyond it to the little lake marked on the map. The ‘lake’ is really an area where they scooped out the bog and the underlying rock in what appears to have been a quarrying operation. It is either the water table that is visible or it just filled with water. I searched for the ‘summit’ of this boggy area, and thought I found it on a little hill near the lake. However I wasn’t satisfied as there was no trig pillar as indicated on the map. Also I got the impression that this little hill was the by-product of the earthwork that has clearly gone on in this area. Finally by careful examination of the pattern of forestry, and comparing it to the map, I realised I was off by 150 metres from the summit. I needed to go further south but the ground was too boggy. I headed back to the car and followed the road around to A (S669 737), parking at another communications installation. I was now only a couple of hundred metres SE of the summit and a quick ramble across two fields brought me to the trig pillar. (B (S668 740)) I found the views from Clogrennan to be truly special. From here the eye follows the plains across to the Wicklow Mountains which stretch far to the north, and the Blackstairs could be seen running off to the south. From this distance the two ranges seemed to merge into one continuous line of hills taking up the entire view to the east. Granted, the middle ground between the two is made up of lower hills such as Muskeagh, Lakeen, Ballycumber, and Preban Hill etc. However the effect is stunning and I would strongly recommend this hill (or the viewpoints on the surrounding roads) on a clear day. There are also good views down into Carlow town and a large number of motorists were parked along the roads enjoying the view. I’m not sure if Clogrennan could be turned into a lengthier walk as it seems to be all farmland or other private land around this area of upland. But if passing by be sure to pop up for those views! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/917/comment/3766/

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Mining.

As wicklore mentions there is quite a bit of mining around here. A quick search reveals that there is coal and limestone mining in the area. Within 200m of the trig pillar and to the SW is a largish bank of earth which seems to have been thrown out of a quarry. It may be a bit higher than the trig pillar.

Here is a picture of the quarry. Potentially the view from Clogrennan should be good, but there was a lot of mist the day that we were there. It is interesting to note this is another industrialised top though it's not as affected as Seltannasaggart. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/917/comment/4651/

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Delivered to Clogrennan by An Post

24 May 2013, Having earlier climbed, Croughan and Greenoge in the Blackstairs it was off to see the An post Ras which had a King of the Mts challenge on the road at A (S669 737)t (point A) beside the communications instillation . When all cyclists passed the road was safely crossed plus two grassy fields, no problem finding trig point. Weather was great and there were fantastic views towards the Wicklow and Blackstairsmts. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/917/comment/14994/

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Not really a hike

Followed wicklores directions from the compound mast. Nice views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow mountains but no real hike here. Out and back to the car in five minutes. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/917/comment/20504/

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Watch for cows, and avert your gaze from the mining!

Stunning vistas, but livestock in the fields meant the dog had to stay in the car. As others have noted, there are great views to be had eastwards, but the mining operation spoils the vista westwards. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/917/comment/6064/

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