Activities
DRIVING
Starting at Myshall many delightful scenic routes can be explored with the Nine Stones at Mount Leinster offering breathtaking views of the Wicklow Hills to the north; the Irish Sea to the East; a panoramic view of six Leinster counties and a clear day even a sight of Wales can be glimpsed.
Stephen Murphy, local businessman and rally driver
WALKING
The Mount Leinster area is an ideal region for walking and features everything from the long walk along the ridge to pleasant strolls in the woods and valleys. Apart from the vistas you will enjoy a great variety of flora and fauna. Samples of walks include:
Sliabh Ban: A pleasant walk which contrives to get you high on the hills with
fine views all round with the minimum of effort – Starting point: Nine Stones,
Distance: 7.5 km., Time: two and a half hours.
Kilbrannish Woods: This is a fairly low level walk, mostly through woods around
the head of Clody Valley and including the village of Kelly’s Quarter. From here
came the father of John Kelly, a 1798 leader who was immortalised in the ballad
“Kelly the Boy from Killane”. Starting point: Kilbrannish Woods, Distance: 12
km, Time: four hours.
Mount Leinster from Raheen: If your sole object is to get to the top of Mount
Leinster then the easiest way is to follow the road to the television mast (not
open to cars) from the Nine Stones. The suggested walk is a little more
adventurous and a lot more interesting. Starting point: c Farm,
Distance: 12km, Time: five hours.
(Walking in the Blackstairs – Joss Lynam)
For further details on upcoming walking events, contact
Carlow
Rural Tourism.
HANG GLIDING
Mount Leinster is an internationally renowned location of hang gliding. It is a multi-directional site.
Gliding takes place most
Sundays,
from March to October.
Irish Hang Gliding & Paragliding
Association
LANDSCAPE PAINTING/WILDLIFE/ORNITHOLOGY/BOTANY
These are proving very popular in the Mount Leinster area – no charge just
enjoy the art and the view. The author
Tom McCaughren found the title for his
first fictional book in an anthology of Fox books at nearby Fenagh when in the course
of his research he asked a local man which way would the fox run when in danger.
The reply “If it can it will run with the wind”, and the book is called “Run
with the Wind”.
(Run Wild Diary, 1994)
FLORA & FAUNA SECRETS OF MOUNT LEINSTER
The yellow spiky flowers of the bog-asphodel; ling and bell heather –
one pure white the other purple, sky blue petalled milkworth,
louseworth, ox-eye daisy, hawksbeard, cool green ferns, gorse, humble
daisies, tall elegant foxgloves, all provide a patchwork of ground
colour while overhead fly the butterflies – red admirals, common blue,
clouded yellows, tortoiseshell, small copper and silver-washed
fritillary. The whispering of the mountain breezes intermingle with the
chorus of the birds who all have their place and feeding station in the
area.
On the higher slopes of Mount Leinster ravens and hawks nest but with a
little luck at any times you may spot the hovering kestrel, the sparrow
hawk with its scythe-like wings, the brown and white uniformed meadow
pipit, or you can listen to the grouse, snipe, willow warblers, curlew,
chaffinches, blue tits or stonechats and in the summer the cuckoo may
drive you mad.
A blanket of foxgloves near Corrabut Gap. Mount Leinster
In the woods close to the slopes of Mount Leinster the deer hide – to
see them on a cool summer night, emerging from those dark mysterious
woods to drink the mountain waters of the River Burren which drains the
area or dashing from the summit is one of the loveliest sights of our
natural world.
Let us not forget the sheep and mountain goats feeding on the heather
and sweet mountain grass or the numerous hares, rabbits and foxes who
roam free in the shadow of this majestic mountain.
(Mount Leinster – Mary White)
CYCLING
The uphill gives even the most daring and adventurous cyclist an
opportunity to test his/her skill. In 1997 a stage of the F.B.D. Milk
Rás passed through Myshall and took in the mountain stage.
GAELIC GAMES
Traditional gaelic games, hurling, gaelic football and camogie take place at the Gaelic Grounds most weekends at Myshall. New facilities have recently been developed at a site off the “Croppy Road”.
Handball facilities are available at Garryhill Handball Pavilion which is
home to World Handball Champions. It also has facilities for squash and
racquetball.
TENNIS/BASKETBALL
Free hard-court tennis facilities are available in Myshall village
adjacent to the Community Centre, also Basketball Court – no charge.
GOLF
Myshall Golf Club was founded as a result of the enjoyment gained from
participating in Míseal’s Juvenile Club Par 3 Golf Classic. It was formed so
members could enjoy themselves through an outdoor activity. The first outing
took place on the October Bank Holiday Monday 27th 2003 to New Ross Golf Club.
Since then the Society has travelled to many Golf Clubs in the South East and an
Annual weekend trip takes place. Registration takes place once a year and is
open to everyone.
'Danoli' on "The Scratoe" above Myshall village
HORSE RIDING & HUNTING:
Horse racing is synonymous with the area with the aristocracy holding races on “The Scratoe”, a hill situated just above Myshall, in former times. The tradition of hunting is equally as old in the area with the last wolf in Ireland killed around Myshall in 1786 (Ireland’s Eye, July 1991). No doubt there are different suggestions as to the exact spot which claims the death of the wolf. Nowadays hunting can be arranged with the Carlow Farmers Hunt, November – February.