Local Knowledge

Take a cycle through the heartland of the Clogher Valley area, birthplace of the 19th century literary genius William Carleton (1794 – 1869) who has left us with many idyllic memories of that hinterland in his “Traits and Stories of Irish Peasantry”.  William Butler Yeats described Carleton as a great Irish historian. We need look no further than to Carleton for the best descriptive narrative of the social  and topographical conditions of this 19th century period in our history not just of the Clogher valley region but of rural Irish life in general. The foundation stones for his literary talent were laid less than a mile away beside St Marys Church, Glennan where he studied the classics under the guidance of his uncle the Revd. John Sproule Keenan Curate of Donagh parish. This will be your starting point on an epic journey back in time. Rose Kavanagh (1859 – 1991) journalist and poet grew up in Clogher and is best remembered for her love of her native countryside in the verses which she has left us with relating to Knockmany mountain and the Blackwater river. Sadly, Rose died at an early age of 30 years.

To absorb all of the landmarks which Carleton has referenced in his writings would require a much longer duration than this cycle route would allow. I have suggested a trail here which highlights some of the interesting spots of this Clogher/Sliabh Beagh area and what it’s got to offer. Click on the route below to see the trail.

https://goo.gl/maps/K2NiKAgtLjx

KNOCKMANY

Knockmany, my darling, I see you again,
As the sunrise has made you a King ;
And your proud face looks tenderly down on the plain
Where my young larks are learning to sing.
At your feet lies our vale, but sure that’s no disgrace.
If your arms had their will, they would cover
Every inch of the ground, from Dunroe to Millrace,
With the sweet silent care of a lover.