Walk to Slieve Donard

While you guys were tucked in in bed on Friday night, we were walking Slieve Donard. Slieve Donard is 850m high and part of the Mourne Mountains; it is the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

We awoke to a SUPER day and the weather matched the absolutely sensational scenery today.

I had hoped to do a walk in the Mournes which is why Newcastle was chosen as our last stop in Ireland (also to give us a launching pad for a 2 hour drive into the airport on the north side of Dublin in the morning tomorrow).

We had a delightful walk through woods along a lovely stream then out into an open valley leading up to the saddle high ahead of us. The colours were beautiful: clear blue sky, lots of flowers as well as holly and pines and rhododendrons (although these weren't in flower). There were several waterfalls and attractive pools which must be tempting in summer - but not today!

From the saddle we turned left for the last very steep climb up to Slieve Donard. Here the Mourne Wall stretches for miles in both directions. Boy, do the Irish know how to build a stone wall!

The Mourne Wall was constructed by the Belfast Water Commissioners between 1904 and 1922 to enclose a water catchment area from the effects of cattle and sheep on the water course. It was built from natural granite stone using traditional dry stone walling techniques. On average the wall is about 1.5 m high and 0.8 to 0.9 m thick and it is 35 kms long and passes over 15 mountains. Some wall!

It was a very tough climb and at one point I thought the heavy breathing I could hear was that of another walker coming up behind me, but it was mine!

Sensational views - 360 degrees - at the top with just a few sheep for company. And bitterly cold!

The grey clouds scuttling in were a reminder that the weather here can change on a whim.

It was an even tougher walk back down and as we glanced back over our shoulders the grey cloud folded in behind us. The walk took us 5 hours and we had to be careful not to trip on the many tree roots and slippery rocks, particularly as we progressed through the woodland at the end. Still, it was quite enchanting. Apparently the Mournes were the inspiration behind the magical land of Narnia crafted by C.S. Lewis in his book the Chronicles of Narnia.

We picked a few blackberries to eat as we went but there weren't many left and I regretted leaving the pack of snacks back in our B&B.

We were very pleased to finish and go back for a nice hot shower. We packed ready for our flight tomorrow and had an early dinner and a stroll along the promenade alongside the beachfront before heading off to bed.

Our legs will be sore tomorrow.