Not quite the ogre I expected

Tackled Bruse in early April 2019 before bracken etc. had chance to be too much of a nuisance.
Started at carpark at A (N31338 98810) and walked down through the cemetery to the gate giving access to the lane into the quarry.
The gate has a warning notice regarding danger and unauthorised entry.
High fencing has been installed beyond the gate but it is still possible to access the lane by climbing over the wall at the side of the gate.
The lane/track can be followed as far as the quarry.
The lane/track is being colonised by birch saplings but is passable as water flows down the vehicle tyre tracks making it difficult for the saplings to establish themselves there.
There is a turn off to the left just before the quarry at another warning sign regarding danger and unauthorised entry.
The fence into the field beside the quarry can be crossed near a rusty barrel.
The field allows clear walking up along the hedge to where hazel scrub covers the hill.
This hazel scrub provides an ideal environment for overwintering cattle as they are sheltered while still availing of the health benefits of remaining outside in the fresh air.
The cattle have created paths which facilitate ascent through the scrub to an overgrown stone wall which is easily crossed.
Nearly there now.The hazel is superseded by some low sally (willow) but this is not too troublesome.
The worst of the heather seems to have been burned off a few years ago and although the un-burnt heather skeletons and long, tough grass will impede progress the trig pillar can now be reached without too much difficulty. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/994/comment/20499/

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Alaskan on Bruse Hill

We parked next to the school, which is next to the cemetery which is next to the church NW of Bruse Hill on R198. It starts off easy enough walking down the road toward the quarry. Just before the quarry, we wandered up a lane on the left. The lane got bushier until it dumped us out above the quarry. From there, we meandered through the ever-closer clumps of tickling gorse and paused to say a few words about the most obvious of blackberry qualities until we encountered an old road. The best path there is basically straight across the road but just a bit to the left up a steep bank which, when wet, will muddy the reputation of the most arrogant. After more gorse and blackberries, the best route leads up to the left and into deep heather which, since some of our young group were not that tall, meant their bodies floated ethereally above a sea of green until they reached the summit monument. They complained some of not knowing what their feet were doing down there in the vegetative depths. The summit monument tells you where to stop. Going down is easier because of the trench plowed on the way up. At least until the gorse and blackberries again draw out those words you are not supposed to say in front of youth. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/994/comment/3289/

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Look out for the faint track for an easier summiteering experience!

I started at the graveyard, you need to turn right at the path that runs along the back of the cemetary, and go through the gate onto the quarry access road. The quarry is long-disused, but not a place for children to play, so keep any kids you have with you under close supervision. The track that gives access to the summit area heads off to the left just at the point you enter the main quarry.

Maybe it's down to legions of MVers beating a path to the summit, but I was able to pick up a faint trail that led from behind the quarry up to the summit, which greatly eased my journey to the summit. Lovely views from the summit.

You can download a GPX file of my route at http://homepage.eircom.net/~csdalton/bruse.gpx Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/994/comment/6414/

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360 degree views from a heathery top.

Park in front of the school at A (N31338 98810) It is possible to walk through the graveyard through a gate into the road leading to the quarry.

The views from the top are expansive though not necessarily dramatic and are amongst the best of the Binnions (sub 400m with 150m prominence) around the North Midlands. The view below is of the Ardra Lough with Cuilcagh on the centre skyline.
Bruse Hill is a Natural Heritage Area and according to Cavan County Council: "The mountain is a natural habitat to a vast array of species of plants and wildlife and because of its status as an area with such biodiversity it falls within a Natural Heritage Area. At the summit of the hill there are three stone cairns which may date from the Neolithic Period. It is also possible on clear day to see five counties from the summit. The mountain is accessible to walkers from the quarry." Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/994/comment/4676/

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Brambles, Bracken and thigh high heather!

Nothing can prepare you for the awfulness of this hill. Brambles, Bracken and Bushes aplenty. To be fair to the hill we did approach it in September when the growth was at it's zenith, and the rain the night and morning before had saturated the vegetation. Only the intrepid millsd1 would (and did) do it twice! Thanks to you and liz50 for your company! You have been warned, go in late winter or spring, and don't wear the good clothes!!! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/994/comment/15177/

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