Local Knowledge

Birthplace of William Carleton the 19th century novelist.

William Carleton

Take a cycle through the heartland of the Clogher Valley area, birthplace of the 19th century literary genius William Carleton 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.

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.