[RWD version 1 ] The loop from the Wicklow Way sign near the Pier Gates is very picturesque, but also very short. On this occasion we decided to take a wider loop by including a visit to the long deserted Scotch Village at O159 042. From there, we sought out the track at O162 041 which we knew would lead us back to the Wicklow Way. We initially made unnecessarily hard work out of our departure from the Scotch Village through a forest, but then found an easier way to this spot that was familiar to us from our earlier, shorter loop of Sleamaine. Alas, we were met with a barbed wire fence that had not been there on our previous shorter loop in 2017. A dip in the fence indicated a crossing point over the fence frequented by other hikers. The other end of this "private" track is at 0166 046, where there is a more formidable fence (and with raised barbed wire on the top of the gate) for anybody that needs to cross back from the "private" track. Once again, previous hikers had obligingly placed some planks and stones that makes this obstacle somewhat easier to overcome. There is an unobstructed route from there to the Wicklow Way and the Pier Gates.
There are excellent views on this loop. Private landowners have their rights, but this fence could easily have been placed in a position that would have facilitated hikers without interfering with anybody. I don’t know how recently this fence was erected , but hikers have been enjoying walking on this track for quite some time.