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Birreencorragh via Diogan Glen from Clendavoolah Lodge

Birreencorragh via Diogan Glen from Clendavoolah Lodge

Start/Finish

Clendavoolaah Lodge is actually a ruin of which not much is left! It is just through the gate at the end of the public road from Keenagh. This minor road is very narrow in places with few passing places. From Newport take the road towards Crossmolina. When it joins the R312, turn left. Reach a crossroads where one turns left for Keenagh. The road to Clendavoolagh Lodge is the second turning on the left. Go through the gate at the end of the tarmac road. Either park immediately on the grass or drive the track and park about 100 m before a cottage at the end of the track. The track is just about driveable but its grass may catch the underneath of your car!

Distance/Time

7 km from the cottage.    About 3 - 4 hours.

Peaks

Birreencorragh, 698 m, G 024 050 (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Maps 23 or 31

A much better map, at a larger scale, is Wild Nephin published by East West Mapping.

Introduction

On a clear day, Birreencorragh is a good viewpoint to Nephin to the east and the Nephin Beg range to the west. There are few paths, even in the glen, and only an intermittent faint path on the crest.

Route

(1) From the cottage, head up the rough pathless glen almost to its head then climb out, roughly SE on steepish grass, to gain the crest leading NE tinitially on gentle slopes which steepen to gain the summit. Reach what seems to be a broken rocky outcrop but which contains the remains (base only) of the trig point marking the summit of Birreencorragh, 698 m. A circular shelter cairn lies a few metres to the north.

(2) Head N from the summit on gentle stony slopes. When the ridge splits, make sure you take the N ridge and not the NE one. Continue along this ridge for 1.5 to 2 km from the summit then start to pick a way down the steep slopes into the glen which leads back to the cottage. The slopes are stony and heathery but not too difficult although care will be needed. Once in the glen, walk downstream to the cottage.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 31st August, 2018.

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