Bitsa this and Bitsa that. The Walkers in the Mournes
Bitsa this and bitsa that and even Batt’s Wall – The Walkers in March
Blue skies and a perfectly still day got our twelve strong contingent off to a good start for the six mile walk in the Tievedockdarragh area of the Mournes. We were delighted to welcome newcomer Maurice Mehaffey to the group (which now has forty members!)
The route in the Low Mournes took us from the Leitrim Lodge car park on the Rostrevor Road in a southerly direction across the ford on Shanky’s River and on past Batt’s Wood towards the Rostrevor Forest.
The said Mr Batt (first name Narcissus) was a wealthy Belfast merchant (whose family owned Purdysburn House) and it was during his lifetime as landlord in Altataggart in the late 19th century that the Scots Pine wood was extensively planted. It’s a lovely place, now with holly and the native rowan flourishing among the sheltering pines. The track was formerly used by stone-men to take granite from the small quarries near the path. We passed a huge Mass Rock used for secret worship during penal times, with an altar hewn on the surface and a wooden cross alongside. On then into Rostrevor Forest, upwards and then out again onto a section of really boggy ground, with substantial snow patches hiding the terrain underneath. We eventually found Batt’s Wall over and through which we climbed (twice), now heading across the Castle Bog with Pierce’s Castle to the right and down the very steep Altataggart Mountain to the path leading back to the car park.
A truly lovely day out. Our next walk on 3rd April is the Ballyhornan coastal path and we meet at 9am in the Church car park. For details call Leslie on 9146 6689
Added by: Betty Armstrong
Added on: 09.03.2010