Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: LandyLiam on November 18, 2012

Title: looking for info on Hare's Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on November 18, 2012

I read about this spot in one of my many mourne books, but i cannot find the relevant paragraph relating to how it got its name. I seem to remember it has nothing to do with Hare's Gap. Can anyone shed any light on this? or even suggest what book it is mentioned in?

Title: Re: looking for info on Hare's Castle
Post by: Spud on November 18, 2012

Was up there today, it really does look like some ancient fortification! Not sure about the hares bit though? Maybe mountain hares were common around there?

Title: Re: looking for info on Hare's Castle
Post by: RedLeader on November 18, 2012

I've wondered about the origin of the name myself. I've not ever heard anything about it.

Title: Re: looking for info on Hare's Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on November 18, 2012

Many thanks the Neville for the following info

"The Hares Castle in the Annalong Valley, well known to shepherd and stone man, gets its name from its resemblance to the animal, but the better known Hare's Gap is called so far as I can discover after the O'Hare family who used to farm the land in Clonachullion...'"

From Mourne Country by Estyn Evans, p84

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd496/landyliam/harescastle_fig25a.jpg)