Topic: Garron Plateau and Galboly village (Read 22859 times)

whoRya · « **on:** August 03, 2014 »

Last year I had a walk up around the Garron Plateau and was really struck with the area. As I sat eating lunch whilst enjoying the scenery I vowed to return some time and spend a bit longer. On that previous occasion I only got the briefest of glimpses of the 'hidden' village of Galboly - another place I wanted to visit with more time available.

And so it was, that I planned a camp in June with a few friends and the kids.

If you have any pre-conceived ideas about the Antrim Hills being simply rounded, undulating, lacking dramatic scenery or even boring then get yourself up there for a dander. Here are a few pics to give you a flavour of the area.

NeilB · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2014 »

Looks like a good wee dander, where did u set of from?

polroger · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2014 »

Looks great. More info please

RedLeader · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2014 »

Great pics, the Antrim Hills are awesome and well worth a visit. We did the hidden village a few years ago, it's a great spot, though one of the cottages had double glazing if I remember correctly

This was our trip.
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/other/galboly-the-hidden-village/

NeilB · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2014 »

What's the best approach/start point for the village?

whoRya · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2014 »

We started out from St Killian's College (Garron Tower) on the Tower Road. We climbed the fence at a bit of an awkward fixed gate at grid reference 299 242. Once we climbed through about 100 metres of the trees at 298 242 we gently ascended through a little valley. At the NW end of the valley a path is gained that ascends the side of the hill (see pic 1 and pic 3 above). This leads you to a natural gateway in the rock at about 292 246. This in turn brings you into the area where we camped (see pic 4 and the panorama in pic 5). We took the path down into Galboly the next morning (pic 8 ) and this is at about 291 246 and the village is at 290 248. After visiting the village we climbed back up the path to the campsite When leaving camp we took another path out of the area at about 291 245 and followed the eastern edge of the plateau until we reached the clearly marked path (on the map) at 296 238 which we followed down to the Tower Road again.

The easiest way to the village would to park in the car park by the sea at 291 252, follow the road west for 600m, then follow a track up to the village. The track I mentioned that starts on the Tower Road at 299 239 is a great way up on to the plateau and would allow a good exploration of Knockore, Turnly's Seat at Craigatinnel, Lough Galboly and village itself. All in one big circular walk!

Quote from: RedLeader on August 04, 2014

Great pics, the Antrim Hills are awesome and well worth a visit. We did the hidden village a few years ago, it's a great spot, though one of the cottages had double glazing if I remember correctly

Oh I think that house was a long way off being the kind of comfort that most of us enjoy.

The last inhabitant of that house was Monk Veder O’Kane, a member of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Source

Quote

Veder was given permission to leave the monastery and from 1970 lived in an isolated shepherd’s cottage at Galboly in ‘The Hidden Village’ in the mountains overlooking Waterfoot.

He told close family members that he never felt lonely there and would spend his day praying and contemplating, reading poetry or observing foxes and other wildlife. He had a particular fascination with the national flowers of countries.

“When he was younger he was a boarder at Garron Tower, so going to live in ‘The Hidden Village’ was in a sense, him returning to his childhood,” said his nephew Michael Bacon who would visit him often in his latter years, along with his cousin Kevin, who would come over from London.

Quote

His humble abode, obscured by trees and a mile from the main coastal road, had no cooker, running water or toilet. The tiny house was sparsley furnished with just a table, chair and a small bed with a blanket. Visitors would have to stand or sit on the floor.

After rising in the early hours of the morning to pray he would drink hot water heated on a one-ring gas stove.

In the pitch blackness a lighthouse off shore would shine light into his bedroom every 15 seconds. In the stony silence at night he would read by gaslight or candle.

The history of the village is fascinating Some of the stories I came across referred to how some of the villagers would live up on the plateau during the summers in booley houses whilst looking after the grazing animals, and of course the village had it's own shebeen! It is well worth reading all you can about the village before visiting, then when you do you can let your mind wander about what life must have been like,

polroger · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2014 »

Great job. Many thanks

Rumblebum · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2014 »

Nice write up matey, cheers!

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: Garron Plateau and Galboly village (Read 22859 times)

whoRya

Garron Plateau and Galboly village

NeilB

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

polroger

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

RedLeader

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

NeilB

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

whoRya

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

polroger

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

Rumblebum

Re: Garron Plateau and Galboly village

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics