1 Glennan, Donagh & Glaslough
Length:
6 km
Time to Complete:
20 minutes
Terrain:
Mostly flat
Difficulty:
Easy
Directions
- From your starting point at Drumlin Trails base set off in the direction of Glaslough. Beyond Glendun Sales factory on your left you will see what remains of the lime-kiln at the bend.
- To your right at the next farmyard St. Patrick's well was located at the bend this side of the Mountain river at Glennan but is now concreted over.
- Nearby, also in Glennan was where the furniture makers operated, possibly to the left at the first junction.
- Turning right off the Emyvale/Glaslough road opposite the Presbyterian church was the quarry now filled in.
- Taking the next left turn will bring you past the Glaslough Villa F.C. soccer pitchon your left.
- Continue forward until you reach the next junction at the bottom of a slight hill. Ride straigh through this junction along the laneway which brings you to Donagh old graveyard.
- On your return from the graveyard at the bottom of the laneway turn right in the direction of Glaslough. This leads to a T-junction where you turn left towards Glaslough village. The Old GNR waiting rooms and platform are to your right going forward.
- At this junction of the Emyvale/Glaslough road turn left in the direction of Emyvale. As you turn, on the hillside to your right is a circular grove of trees which outlines Drumbanagher Viking fort.
- As you continue over the brow of the slight hill toward Emyvale St Mary's RC Church comes into view on your left. Taking a left towards the church will lead you to a plaque at the front near the grotto side commemorating Willim Carleton the nineteenth century novelist who studied here. Returning from here to the Emyvale/Glaslough road take left for return journey home.
Points of Interest
- Remnants of of an old lime-kiln on the left at the bend beyond Glendun Sales factory
- St Patrick’s well (no longer visible to your right before you cross the river at Glennan.
- Here at Glennan was once the workplace of over 100 carpenters engaged in the manufacture of household furniture sold at markets throughout the County and beyond.
- Opposite the Presbyterian Church was the quarry owned by McKay family from where most of the headstones in Donagh old graveyard were excavated. One of the McKays was a sculptor and chiselled out many of the fine memorial engravings to be found in Donagh.
- Soccer pitch (a reminder that Honest John McKenna who founded the Liverpool F.C., came from this parish.
- Donagh old graveyard contains remnants of an old monastic settlement, the McKenna or Donagh cross, burial plot of the last of the McKenna chiefs etc.,.
- Glaslough Rail station
- Drumbanagher Viking fort and last battle stand of the McKenna chief Major John McKenna.
- Glennan R.C. church and site of the Classical school taught by Rev John Keenan CC and attended by William Carleton the famous 19th century novelist.
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