Carnaween Bluestack Mountains - Ulster, Ireland

Carnaween in the Bluestack Mountains

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Carnaween  translated as Mound of the Birds is 521m high. The mountain is composed of quartzite. The natural cavern in a cliff near the summit of Carn is marked ‘Diarmaid and Grainne’s Bed’. Local legend says that Diarmaid and Grainne spent a night on the summit of Carnaween during their elopement and pursuit by Fionn.  Grainne is now sometimes identified as a Sun- Goddess and the mountain is said to have been a place for sun and folk worship in pre – Christian times.

This mountain is traditionally climbed on the first Sunday in June, where in olden days a festival of music, singing and dancing took place. A few years ago this tradition was revived with a modern day theme. A festival themed on another legend Elvis takes place the first weekend in June. Elvis’s climb the mountain and merriment is had in the nearby village of Frosses.

To enjoy this walk whether it’s the long or short version,( Short being just Disert which I have written at the end of Carnaween walk) GR 884867 fallow the route to the football field and park. Walk along the road until the next turn right;( for the short walk take the next left and fallow at signs) keep on this road until you reach an old cottage.  At this time of year the road is lined with wild fuchsia and foxgloves. Go behind the cottage where there is an opening in the fence. You will see a fence running up the hill, keep to the right of this. Just past the fence if you look closely at the ground you will see an abundance of bog pimpernel, butterworth and sundew.The ground is wet here but worth it to see the bog flora. The accent to the summit of Carnaween is fairly steep. Take a few minutes to look at the views. In front of you is Donegal Bay and the Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh mountains and on a clear day as far away as Nephin in Co.Mayo. To the east is the highest point of the Bluestacks 674m Lavagh More, Lavagh Beg  and Silver hill. The west side you can see St John’s point, a peninsula  that looks like a finger jutting into the sea. Crownarad and  Muckros mountains. When you think you are at the top of the hill keep going as far as spot height 436m GR 877896. In this area the fence is easy to cross and going to the summit a little less steep. At the summit of Carnaween, there is a millennium cross and a statue of Fionn McCool,  designed and erected by local people. Carnaween is the only mountain in the Bluestacks where you can sign you name and a record will be kept.

Turning west to spot 488 GR871891. Here feast your eyes on the magnificent views of Ardara and Glenties. The golden sands of Mahera and Ballinreavy strands and Slievetooey Mountain. Below a cluster of lakes and Aghala mountain.  From here make your way down to the river and on to Carn Lough. Here you will see cross-leaved Heath, Ling and Bell Heather. These are dwarfed from the effects of frequent grazing and permanent surface water logging. Go round the south side of the Lough until the fence comes to into sight. Keep about 100m above the fence, as it is very wet along side it. Walk along until you reach GR 880878 where you will see the opening behind the cottage. Walk down the lane ant turn right along the foot of the mountain and through a number of gates. Please remember to close the gates after you. Fallow the lane until you reach the sign for Disert, a worthy diversion. Enter and exit by the same path.

Disert means place of solitude. It is believed that monks came to study and pray here. The megalith, said to be the burial site of a druid chieftain, evidences the long history of the site. The site is said to date back to pre Christian times and is also associated with one of Ireland’s patron saints. Colmcille, who is believed to have blessed the Holy Well in the 6th century. The graveyard was used for Mass through the penal years. The graveyard continued to be used for the internment of unbaptised children until the early 1930’s.  Numerous local traditions have built up surrounding the site ranging from ways to improve virility to methods of curing eye disorders and backache. The clay from the site was used to put in the foundations of houses to banish rats.

The flora in this area is very interesting probably due to the non – application of artificial fertilizers. In spring bluebells primroses, wood anemone, lesser celandine and dog violets thrive here. In summer foxgloves, thistles, bracken, wild strawberries and various fern and mosses. Birds associated with this area are cuckoo, raven, merlin and kestrel  Return to the road and go left, fallow the track until you reach a gate. At the gate go left and walk along the Bluestack way until you reach you car.

The walk to Disert Graveyard

Fallow the  signs for the Bluestack Centre and continue on this road for about 4km until see the football field on the left and park here. Walk along the road until the next turn right. Walk down the lane and turn left along the foot of the mountain and through a number of gates. Please remember to close the gates after you. Fallow the lane until you reach the sign for Disert. Enter and exit by the same path.

Disert means place of solitude. It is believed that monks came to study and pray here. The megalith, said to be the burial site of a druid chieftain, evidences the long history of the site. The site is said to date back to pre Christian times and is also associated with one of Ireland’s patron saints. Colmcille, who is believed to have blessed the Holy Well in the 6th century. The graveyard was used for Mass through the penal years. The graveyard continued to be used for the internment of unbaptised children until the early 1930’s.  Numerous local traditions have built up surrounding the site ranging from ways to improve virility to methods of curing eye disorders and backache. The clay from the site was used to put in the foundations of houses to banish rats.

The flora in this area is very interesting probably due to the non – application of artificial fertilizers. In spring bluebells primroses, wood anemone, lesser celandine and dog violets thrive here. In summer foxgloves, thistles, bracken, wild strawberries and various fern and mosses. Birds associated with this area are cuckoo, raven, merlin and kestrel. Return to the road and go left, fallow the track until you reach a gate. At the gate go left and walk along the Bluestack way until you reach you car.