I walked over this hill on 20 June 2010. When planning the walk I noticed that the grid ref given in MV related to Pt 292 on the OSNI Sheet 18 and that a higher Pt 293 and trig pillar lay some 700m to the SW of this reference at
A (H36950 70100). Given that this height 293m agreed with that listed for the hill in MV I assumed that this latter spot height was the high point. I parked near the entrance gates to a communications mast at
B (H373 708) on a minor road that runs from SE to NW across the flat top of the hill. I decided to do a short looped walk that would take me over both spot heights. Initially I walked W for some 200m across the heather covered moorland to to Pt 292, the listed MV grid ref
C (H371 708), which is unmarked in any way and on ground that is so flat that a number of heathery clumps could vie to be the "top". Once there I continued on SSW across the bog in search of the trig pillar and Pt 293. It was not immediately apparent as it was nestled down behind some turf banks at
A (H36950 70100) with the high point up on the bank a few meteres away from the pillar. When I was there I a man was cutting turf on the bank and, on chatting to him, he told me that the name locally for the hill was Pidgeon Top. Satisfied that my short walk had taken me across the high point I headed NE back to my car some 800m away. When I was there the ground was very dry and made for easy walking. I doubt that this would be the case after a prolonged spell of wet weather. The views from Pollnalaght are extensive. The Donegal Highlands were clearly visable to the N with Muckish in full profile and the sharp point of Errigal jutting up above lower tops in the range. Over to the W were the Bluestacks while SW was Cuilcagh, the high point for Cavan/Fermanagh. Nearer at hand to the NE was Bessy Bell, Mullaghcarn and other Sperrin's tops. Perhaps at some convenient time, and if in agreement with my thoughts on the matter, a change might be made to the current grid reference for the top of the hill. Interestingly in the first edition OSNI Sheet 18 the current MV grid ref is shown as Pt 298 ( Pt 292 in later editions) and no spot height is given for the trig pillar! By all means visit this hill if in, or near, the area but preferably combine it with one or two other tops on the same day, In my case I also climbed Dooish which is a short drive away and Slievemore near Ballygawley
Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/961/comment/5900/
Read Less