3 Around the Lakes
Length:
17.7 km
Time to Complete:
1 hour
Terrain:
Tranquil country scenery
Difficulty:
Easy
Directions
- From Drumlin Trails proceed left in the direction of Glaslough and turn left in the direction of Monmurray lough. Continue until you come to 2 roadside cottages separated by a narrow laneway. Tonyshandny ringfort which is inaccessible can be seen from a clear spot along the road you are on.
- From here continue a short bit and Monmurray lough is visible on your left hand side.
- Proceed straight ahead and when you cross over Knockaginny bridge you are entering the Northern Ireland.
- At the end of this road you will reach the Aughnacloy/Caledon road where you will be turning lest in the direction of Aughnacloy.
- Taking the next left just before Caledon Precision Engineering Works proceed in the direction of Mullan after re-entering Co Monaghan via another bridge spanning the Blackwater river.
- Busy Bee Ceramics and factory alongside (also now located in Glaslough Village).
- You will come next to a Y-junction at which point bear right in the direction of Emyvale and take a right turn when you come to the next junction. In beteen on your left was once Emy mills.
- Taking the next left turn will bring you round Lough Emy, passing the Sluice keepers roadside cottage on your right side as the lake comes into view.
- Turning left takes you towards the Glaslough/Emyvale road. A marker should be visible on the lake opposite the lakeside car park revealing the Crannog site.
- Turn right in the direction of Emyvale and take the next left past the GAA grounds leading you to Tully Ring fort and lough.
- Returning from here onto the Emyvale/Glaslough road turn right in the direction of Glaslough. As you are heading back to base just past the lake before the hill climb on your left hand side is an avenue leading to McKenna's Portinaghy.
Points of Interest
- Before reaching Monmurray lough there is a laneway separating 2 cottages on your left which leads to Tonyshandny ringfort on the top of the hill. In this townland also lived a community in a hidden dip in the valley which was known locally as the pocket because of its inaccessability.
- Monmurray lough. Nearby was the last household location of the McKenna clan dynasty Major John McKenna, who was defeated at the battle of Drumbanagher in 1688. Legend has it that McKenna's treasures are buried in the depths of Monmurray lough.
- New bridge over the Blackwater re-connecting old separated communities torn apart during the troubles in Northern Ireland.
- The Clogher Valley tramway ran parallel to the Aughnacloy/Caledon road with a halt at the end of the Emyvale road.
- Former boot manufacturing factory Mullan village now a modern Monaghan Lighting company.
- Busy Bee ceramics. (formerly here now located in Glaslough village.)
- Site of former Emy Mills.
- Roadside cottage where the McCluskey/Savave family took care of opening and closing the sluice gate at the end of Emy lough controlling the supply of water to Emy and Mullan mills.
- Crannog (submerged).
- Tully Ringfort and H.Q. of the McKenna chief prior to Kinsale 1601. There was a crannog on Tully lough with access via a causeway used by McKenna.
- McKenna residence and H.Q. after Battle of Kinsale 1601 in Portinaghy.
Gallery
Emy Mills big wheel
Clogher Valley Tram on Main Street, Caledon
Emy Mills
Local Knowledge
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