Camp Historical Walks
Dingle Pensinsula, Co.Kerry, Ireland
Camp Historical Walks
SLIABH MISH
Walk the mountain peaks from Tralee to Camp.
Sliabh Mish is named after Mish the Milesian Princess who was slain in
the battle of Sliabh Mish, a great battle in prehistoric times between
the early settlers, the Tuatha De Dannann and the Milesians, who were
reputed to have come from Western Europe.
CAHERCONREE CLIMB
The majestic mountain Caherconree, once the seat of the High King of Munster
Curoi Mac Daire, stands 2715 ft. above sea level. Curoi Mac Daire, High
King of Munster and magician was believed to possess Godlike powers. Even
when abroad, he could put the fortress spinning and turn it round at night
so that the gateway would be turned in, to prevent invasion from the sea.
Cuchulainn of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster is said to have killed
Curoi on the mountain slopes in a fight over the Welsh Princess Blaithnaid.
At the top of the mountain the remains of one of Ireland’s most striking
inland promontory forts is still to be seen.
Caherconree Climb is for the hardy climber, but is not dangerous provided you follow the yellow posts and observe caution at the summit.
CUCHULAINN
Leader of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster became involved in a tragic
love triangle with Curoi Mac Daire. Cuchulainn fell in love with Curoi's
wife, Blathnaid, daughter of a Manx Chieftain. Blaithnaid was held in
captivity in his fortress in Caherconree, when she was taken as one of
the spoils of a raid on her fathers lands. Cuchulainn was in love with
Blaithnaid and together they planned her escape. When Curoi was asleep
Blaithnaid milked her cow into a bottomless bucket. The milk flowing down
the mountainside was a sign to Cuchulainn that it was safe to come up
to the fortress. Cuchulainn crept up on the sleeping Curoi and killed
him and the 2 lovers escaped together. But the story has a sad ending
and Feircheirtne, one of Curoi's trusted druids followed the pair He caught
up with them on a high cliff in Ulster and grasping hold of the fair Blaithnaid
jumped off the cliff killing them both.
SLI GLEANN NA NGEALT
The valley of Gleann-na-nGealt can be entered at 2 points – At Scrallagh,
2 miles west of Camp village you can walk into the valley and do a circle
coming out at Maum na h-Altora, or indeed you can commence at Maum na
h-Altora and do the opposite ring. You can also walk down into the valley
through Foillatrisnigh and through Cappaclough and take the beach walk
to lower or Upper Camp.
Tobar na nGealt ( Mad Well) is reputed to have a cure in its waters for
madness. Gall the king of France is said to have lost his sanity at the
battle of Ventry Harbour and was cured when he drank the waters of Tobar
na nGealt.
Maum na hAltora – The pass of the altar, Mass was celebrated here in penals
times. Here remains a cluster of megalithic tombs, which are some of the
earliest stone structures in the region.
FINGLAS
The Finglas River still flows down from the mountain to the sea. English
Translation - Fionn -White, hence Finglas river, flowing white with milk.
Begin your walk at Camp Junction, climbing the high road up Knockglossmore
and head west through Sli Corca Dhuibhne (Dingle Way) cross the road curradubh
road, the Tralee/Dingle Railway bridge, scene of the great train crash
of 1893 in on your right, follow on and cross the stepping stone at the
Finglas River. Local folklore annals tell the tale of the rive running
white when Blathnaid milked her cow at the top of Caherconree to give
a sign to Cuchulainn that she was alone, hence the name Fionnglas.
SLI AN CHAMA
A looped walk commencing at Camp village, you can complete a circuit taking
in any of the roads, bohereens, along the seaside, your options are many
and varied depending how long you want to make this walk.
Camp/An Cam meaning a gap in the mountains or a fortress is associated
with the encampment of Cuchulainn, the Ulster hero of the Red Branch Knights.
Along the way you can also visit the grave of the milesian Princess Fas,
slain in the battle of Sliabh Mish, also named after Princess Mish also
killed in the mammoth battle between the Milesian and Tuatha Danann tribes,
who were among the first inhabitants of this island.
GAIRDIN CU ROI
A ring walk through Curradubh to Beheenagh and Bothar na gCloch circling
round the top of the road down through Kilteenbane and Coole to the beach
and heading east to exit at Kealode, on the Tralee side of The Junction
Bar. There are no signs of the remains of the Geraldine Castle or the
Glandine Castle reputed to be built in medieval times in Upper Camp. Some
local people will know the site of the Castle in Upper Camp where a farmer
discovered a large underground cellar when ploughing the field over 50
years ago. Camp Old School built in 1882 is on your route next to St.
Marys Catholic Church built 1839, worth calling in to see.
DINGLE RAILWAY LINE 1891-1953
The remains of the Dingle Railway line winds up and down hill through
this magnificent part of the peninsula. There were 2 railway stops in
Camp. Camp Junction and Upper Camp. The water tower still remains at The
Junction, where the train was refueled before it made its way westwards,
Climbing the heights of Gleann-na-nGealt" like an old man full of tears
(Poem -The Dingle Train by Ted O Donnell).
SLI BOTHAR NA NGCLOCH
Bothar na nGcloch links the Dingle and Iveragh Peninsula.
Walk Maps
 |
 |
Copyright © 2011 Camp Historical Walks. All rights reserved