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| 19 June 2013 |
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| Ballyroney | ||||||||||
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Three suggested walk combinations using public rights of way and public roads near the hamlet of Ballyroney and centred on Lackan Bog. Located on the banks of the Upper River Bann in the parish of Drumballyroney, townland of Lackan, between Dromara and Rathfriland in southwest County Down is the small hamlet of Ballyroney. The area has interesting literary links including Patrick Brontë, father of Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne, who was born in the nearby townland of Imdel in 1777 and Captain Mayne Reid – ‘Soldier and Novelist’ - a successful 19th century writer of adventure stories, born in Ballyroney in 1818. Here the Upper River Bann wends it way around farmed drumlin hills set in a lowland basin of extensive birch, moss and on its journey from the Mourne Mountains to Lough Neagh. The Mournes form a beautiful back drop to the area. Nearby Ballyroney Lake supports a variety of wintering waterfowl including mute swan, whooper swan, mallard, teal, tufted duck and coot. Also in the townland of Lackan is Lackan Bog. The special and fragile nature of this habitat is reflected in its designation as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). Formerly a raised bog, but now completely cut over, Lackan Bog represents one of the largest single blocks of lowland peat left in County Down. It is one of the most important sites in Ireland for dragonflies. 13 out of 22 Irish species have been spotted in the bog. The best time to see them is between March and October. The suggested walks include ‘The Green Road’ an old bog rampart and public right of way by foot that runs for a mile across the bog from Lackan Road towards Dodd’s Hill/Dicksons Hill Road and the High Road, a quiet minor road, skirting the bog to the west and giving good views over it – the two can be linked by road to form a circular walk. Simply walking along ‘The Green Road’ from Lackan Road to Dicksons Hill Road and returning along the same route gives an interesting insight in this beautiful bogland habitat and a walk of a couple of miles.
A mix of on-road walking, public rights of way using farm lane and bog ramparts (lanes) with very uneven and, at times, muddy surfaces. Bog ramparts are prone to burrowing by rabbits, etc so watch your step. Walk (3) takes in open fields near Annahinchigo lake in which cattle may be grazing. Mix of flat and undulating terrain. When crossing Lackan Bog please remain on ‘The Green Road’ footpath. No cycling. Dogs should be under control at all times and should be on a lead when passing through open fields with livestock. Take your litter home, clean up after your dog, park with care, do not damage crops, walls or fences. Do not be careless with lighted matches or cigarettes. Please report any problems encountered with this route to the Countryside Officer (028 4066 0605). The OSNI Discover Series 1:50 000 map ed.2001 and – incorrectly labels the public right of way running around Annahinchigo Lake/Hunshigo Lake as ‘The Green Road’. ‘The Green Road’ F.P. actually runs from the Lackan Road to Dicksons Hill Road/Dodds Hill. Park on road with due car and consideration at junction of Lackan Road and Flush Road, Ballyroney. Rathfriland is the nearest town to Ballyroney approx. 1.5 mile south along the B7. Walk Directions Turn R into Eelwire Road and continue to junction with B7 (Dromara Road). Walk facing oncoming traffic and with vigilance along this busy road for about 0.5 mile – look out for Dickson’s Hill Road on the L marked by a ‘No Through Road’ sign. Continue along Dicksons Hill Road and look for a Footpath SP pointing across an open field on the other side of the road from a large farm shed. Go through the ‘Rambler Stile’ which opens in a ‘v’ shape and cross the field to another ‘Rambler Stile’. You will be entering ‘The Green Road’ a public footpath along an old bog rampart which crosses the bog. Bog ramparts evolved from early bog roads and provided easy access to the peat/turf for cutting. As a result the road is at a higher level than the cut out peat on either side. The rampart is fragile and prone to animal burrowing – please watch your step. At one point on the walk you will cross over the stone railway bridge which carried the route over the former Banbridge to Ballyroney railway line. Keep on the track to meet Lackan Road and turn L to return to the starting point. Walk 2: Lackan Bog and the High Road (3.75 miles) Walk 3: Flush Road to Annahinchigo Lake and Lackan Bog (5.6 miles) Keep close to the right field boundary along the side the side of a field and through a gap into a second field (cattle are often grazing in these fields. Be particularly careful if there are cows with calves and ensure that if you have a dog with you that it is kept on the lead). Look for a wooden gate along the right field boundary of the 2nd field - leading into a bog rampart or raised green lane on boggy ground. Walk along the rampart looking out for potholes caused by burrowing animals in the peaty soil. Where the rampart meets the farm lane veer away from the old house and keep on this surfaced lane and follow the waymarks until it meets the Crabtree Road. Turn L. into Crabtree Road and continue to its junction with Bannside Road turn R into Bannside Road and follow it up the hill. The River Bann runs close to the road as it nears Ballyroney. At the Bannside Road junction with the B7 turn R towards Ballyroney and continue on through the settlement on this road. Exercise care walking along this busy road and use the roadside footpath where available. Pass Ballyroney Lake and take 2nd road on R marked by a ‘No through Road’ sign – Dicksons Hill Road and continue along looking for a Footpath SP leading across an open field on the right. Cross the field into Lackan Bog and follow ‘The Green Road’ a public footpath across the bog to its junction with Lackan Road. Here turn L into Lackan Road to return to the starting point.
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