Two heritage walks climb two “mountains” in Monaghan.

The first of these on Thursday morning, guided people to the summit of Mullyash Mountain to visit the impressive cairn.

Organised by the Clogher Historical Society in conjunction with the Mullyash Community Group, the day commenced with a talk from Deborah Flack in the community centre.

The group listened to the Heritage at the Heart podcast which was recorded earlier in the year on the cairn before setting off.

Mullyash cairn is situated in Mullyash and Tavanaskea, in the parish of Muckno, on the border with Armagh.

Mullyash is a national monument, located at 315m above sea level, providing views over nine counties on a good day.

The cairn is likely to be over 4000- 5000 years old and it is generally agreed that it contains a passage tomb.

The second walk on Friday evening, brought the attendees up the side of Corduff Mountain, under the guidance of the Corduff/Raferagh Heritage group.

Superb views to the surrounding drumlins opened up as the climb ascended to meet the old Mass Pad, and to the now unused vernacular farmhouse of the McKeown family.

The farm house is in a traditional Ulster style, with a small porch, jamb wall inside to shield the hearth from the wind containing a little spy window so that both visitor and occupant can have a view out or in.

Inside there is also a beautiful wide hearth, with the remains of a pryramidal canopy still evident.The remains of a thatched roof can be seen under the corrugated iron roof.

It was normal to leave the old thatch in situ when a new tin roof was being fitted, as insulation to retain heat and reduce noise from the rain.

      

 

Photos:

The group in Mullyash Community Centre before ascending Mullyash Mountain.

Climbing the hill in Corduff.

The walk around Corduff pictured outside the old farm house.