Lúibín Cnoc an Choillín Carna
Lúibín Cnoc an Choillín
Tosaíonn Lúibín Chnoc an Choillín ag binn theas Shéipéal Mhuire, Carna (1842), ag barr Chuan na hAirde. Is féidir an tsean-chéibh chloiche (atá i ndrochbhail) a fheiceáil soir ó dheas. Ba é an chéibh seo an príomhphointe tuirlingthe do mhuintir Oileán Máisean suas go dtí na 50í. Is féidir an t-oileán a fheiceáil i bhfad i gcéin. Ag breathnú amach ar an gcéibh, tá Ionad Cuimhneacháin na nImirceach, Carna. Tógadh é ar shuíomh seanscoil na mbuachaillí i gCarna (1887–1947).
Leanann conair an chósta ar aghaidh go dtí an tseanbhóthair, áit ar féidir Maínis a fheiceáil soir ó dheas. Tá clú agus cáil air mar gheall ar thógáil bád. Téann sé ar aghaidh ansin thar staighrí cloiche agus trí thrí gharraí. D’fhéadfadh na garraí bheith fliuch nuair a bhíonn drochaimsir ann. Lean ar aghaidh go dtí go dtagann tú chomh fada le bóthar Leitir Deiscirt (Leiceann Cnoic Ó Dheas). Tá ballaí agus staighrí cloiche traidisiúnta le feiceáil sa chuid seo den tsiúlóid.
Radharcanna álainn
Ag casadh ar dheis ar bhóthar Leitir Deiscirt agus ag leanúint ar aghaidh ar feadh 300m, sroichfidh siúlóirí crosbhóthar. Má thógann na siúlóirí an tsaighead ar chlé, sroichfidh siad speirphointe radhairc Chnoc a’ Choillín, a ritheann in aice leis an taiscumar uisce. Ag an taiscumar, casann an chonair ar dheis ar feadh thart ar 500 méadar ar sheanbhóthar portaigh. Anseo sroichfidh siúlóirí áit suí le radhairc iontacha ar Chuan na hAirde. Ag féachaint amach ar an tírdhreach uathúil máguaird agus ar na h-oileáin ó Bhior Mór go Cruach na Cara. Is féidir Oileáin Árann a fheiceáil i bhfad i gcéin agus ar lá breá d’fhéadfá Cnoc Bréanainn i gCiarraí a fheiceáil – is é seo deireadh speir an phointe radhairc.
Ag an bpointe seo is féidir le siúlóirí, ar fhilleadh ar an bpríomh-lúb dóibh, portaigh agus lochanna Charna, Cnoc Dhúleitir, agus Na Beanna Beola a fheiceáil i bhfad i gcéin. Má chasann siad ar chlé ag an gcrosbhóthar agus má leanann siad ar aghaidh ar feadh 200 méadar, feicfidh siad coill agus an Cnoc Buí ó thuaidh.
Ar theacht ag an bpríomhbhóthar, casfaidh siúlóirí ar dheis ag leanúint an bhóthair go dtí an sráidbhaile agus tús na siúlóide.
Tabhair aird: Ní mór a bheith cúramach ar an gcuid den chonair a théann ar an bpríomhbhóthar. Chomh maith leis sin, téann codanna den tsiúlóid seo trí thalamh feirme ar a bhfuil beithígh, rud a d’fhéadfadh a bheith contúirteach – ar an gcúis sin ní cheadaítear aon mhadraí ar an gconair.
Lúibín Cnoc an Choillín – Carna
The Cuilleen Hill loop commences at the south gable of St Mary’s Church, Carna (1842), at the top of Ard Bay. The remains of Carna Pier can be seen to the south east. This pier was the main landing point for the people of Mason Island up to the early 1950s, and the island can be seen in the distance. Overlooking the pier is the Carna Emigrants Commemorative Centre. This is built on the site of the old Carna Boys School (1887–1947).
The coastal trail continues along the old road, where Mynish Island, famous for its boat building, can be seen to the south east. It then proceeds over stone steps, through three fields which may be wet in inclement weather. Continue onto the Letterdeisceart (South Hillside) road. This part of the walk features traditional stone walls and steps.
Spectacular Views
Turning right on the Letterdeisceart road and continuing for 300m, walkers will reach a crossroads. Taking the left arrow brings walkers along the Cuilleen Hill viewing point spur, which runs adjacent to the water reservoir. At the reservoir the trail veers right for some 500 metres along an old bog road. Here walkers will reach a seating area with spectacular views of Ard Bay. There is views to the necklace of islands from Birmore Island to the iconic St Macdara’s Island. In the distance the Aran Islands can be seen and on a very fine day you could see Mount Brandon in Kerry. This marks the end of the viewing point spur.
Returning to the main loop, walkers can view the Carna bogs, Doletter Hill and the Twelve Bens in the distance. Turn left at the crossroads and continue for 200 metres and Knockboy Hill and woodland can be seen to the north.
Upon meeting the main road junction, walkers turn right, following the road back to the village and trailhead.
Please note: Sections of this walk pass through active farmland with cattle, which can be dangerous. For this reason, no dogs are allowed on the trail.
