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OS 1:50000 Sheet 26 H123280 |
http://www.crux.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk-> Baggers Album ->Ireland->45d->Cuilcagh
A misty summit cairn. Huge of course.
| The southeast ridge. The summit is just hidden in the mist. |
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The streams flowing of the western slopes of Cuilcagh share a special fate. Disappearing into a cave system in the limestone plinth of the hill, they reappear here as a fully formed River Shannon. Within a few miles it flows into Lough Allen and meets its first cabin cruiser. This is Shannon Pot, the traditional source of the Ireland's greatest river. |
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The highest point of the Border, Cuilcagh is another Pennine like limestone hill capped with Yoredale Grits. Notorious amongst Northern Ireland's hills as boggy slog from the limetone lands around Florencecourt, it is an easier ascent from the Cavan side. Still boggy, the South-East Ridge has the advantage of a drained path along the edge of the ridge. Higher up, the going is easy, the turf having been eroded away. Sadly we removed a lot of litter from the hill including the remains of a mobile phone. (Not all is cast away intentionally)
On a foul day in a full gale, we had a bit of a struggle. We met a shepherd near the top checking for stray sheep and occasionally losing one of his dogs. A brief visit was made to Co. Fermanagh in order to find shelter for a cup of tea behind the enormous cairn. On the way back to Drumshanbo we dropped in on Shannon Pot, a place of ancient pilgramage. Here the waters of Cuilcagh finally gather on their long journey to Limerick and beyond.
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