FOGGY START, SUNNY END, PRIVATE MOUNTAIN ACCESS - Day 9 - October 9, 2023
In a conversation with our server at Handsome Burger last night, she found out we were going to Donegal, via Sligo, today. Since she was from Sligo, she had some recommendations for things to see on our way.
Galway was socked in with fog as we headed northwest this morning. At times, it was difficult to see ahead on the road. We were a little concerned about the prospects for sightseeing in these conditions.
By the time we made it into the town of Sligo, there was a slight drizzle, but the fog was lifting. Driving into town, we noticed several vehicles with surfboards on roof racks. It turns out that this area is known for its surfing.
First up today was a visit to Rosses Point just outside town on the Sligo Peninsula. We stopped at an overlook to see the lighthouse and old lime kilns on Oyster Island.
Just behind us stood the ruins of the Elsinore House. Built by a smuggler in the early 1800’s, it eventually became the property of relatives of the poet, William Butler Yeats. Yeats spent time in his youth at this house, and found inspiration here for some of his writings-see ‘Reveries Over Childhood and Youth’.
By now, the sun was coming out and we set off for Glencar Waterfall to the east of us. The topography here began to resemble wooded ranch land as we climbed into some rolling hills on narrow twisty roads. We made a quick stop at Glencar Lake and then again at the nearby Glencar Waterfall.
Next on the list was a ride over to the Gleniff Horseshoe, a scenic loop drive. As we headed north, there were more forested areas and we could see stacks of cut lumber on the roadside waiting to be transported somewhere for processing.
We stopped near a pasture for a quick photo of an interesting mountain formation and I jumped out of the car to get a shot. A sheep rancher saw me and we struck up a conversation about the beautiful view. He asked where I was going and when I said, ‘the Gleniff Horseshoe’, he told me we
should take a little side trip and really get a view.
He told me to wait while he got his key to a private livestock gate that would let us go to the top of the giant mountaintop we could see just to the north of us. I called Karen, Laura and Paul over to meet our new friend, Domenick Rooney.
When Domenick returned, he gave us (in a very thick Irish accent) instructions on how to get to the road and he just asked that we drop his key off when we returned.
The drive to the top of Truskmore was the highlight of the day. It stands at over 2100 feet elevation on a plateau bordered with steep cliffs. Sitting on top is a large array of powerful microwave transmitters. It is the highest mountain in the Sligo area.
The private road to the top is used by local ranchers/farmers and also by technicians maintaining the transmitters. We happened to meet one of the techs when we got to the gate and he helped us get in. He told us to not linger too long at the top for two reasons: 1) the transmitters might ‘fry’ our brains; and 2) if the maintenance people came down the mountain before us, they’d lock the gate and we wouldn’t get out again.
We shared the steep and narrow single lane road with grazing sheep, but no other vehicles. We had spectacular 360 degree views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding countryside.
Using our lowest gear, we came back down the mountain, found Domenick’s house again, and then drove to Lough Eske Castle, our home for the next two nights.
NEXT: Luxury Accommodations
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