GREAT ROADSLeitrim's Iron Mountains, the region where the mighty Shannon rises, have something of the mystery of Middle Earth, writes Bob Montgomery
ON OLDER maps, the mountains of Slieve Anierin and Cuilcagh in the northwest corner of Cavan were named as the Iron Mountains, sounding like a mountain range straight out of JRR Tolkien's stories of Middle Earth.
In truth, they have something of the mystery of Tolkien's creations about them, for this is a corner of the island less travelled by those seeking scenic grandeur. This is a pity, for it's a region of unique beauty bounded by Lough Allen in Co Leitrim to the west, and the Cavan and Fermanagh lakelands to the east and north.
The subject of our attention today is the R200, which traverses the gap between Slieve Anierin and Cuilcagh, known as the Ballavalley Gap.
Traversed from west to east or east to west this road opens up fine vistas; however, we started our journey from Ballyconnell taking the N87 through Bawnboy with Slieve Rushen to our north displaying its line of wind generators.
About halfway from Bawnboy to Swanlinbar, the R200 is clearly signposted to the left. In fact, the road taken is actually the R202, the R200 revealing itself as a turn-off to the northwest after a very short distance.
The road soon climbs on to the uplands of the Iron Mountains, a limestone area reminiscent in places of the Burren in Co Clare. Its grassy slopes cover the many small valleys cut into the landscape.
A worthwhile diversion is to the waterfall at Tullydermot, on the Claddagh river, a tributary of the Erne river. Shortly after this diversion, there's another. Take the short road up to Altachullion Viewpoint and if you're lucky enough to be there on a fine day, enjoy the magnificent view towards the drumlin lowlands, Lough Key and the many lakes surrounding Carrick-on-Shannon.
After that, the road twists across the gap and reveals the view towards the mountains of Leitrim as it slowly begins to descend. The village of Glangevlin is soon reached and here the R200 turns west, towards Dowra. This is a fine road passing through some very beautiful landscape as it drops down towards the northern tip of Lough Allen.
Of note near Glangevlin (and signposted) is the Shannon "Pot". This is the spot where the river Shannon begins its 250-mile journey to the Atlantic in a hole called Lug-na-Sionna, or Shannon Pot, in a boggy field on the western side of the Cuilcagh Mountains. It's a dark circular pool some 15 metres wide overhung by lichen-covered trees. The river is named after Sionna, who, legend says, was seized with the desire for knowledge. In her efforts to capture the salmon of knowledge, she met her end being swept into the earth through Lug-na-Sionna. There are several possible extensions to this exploration: the continuation of the R200 to Drumkeeran along the northern shore of Lough Allen, or the R206 from Glangevlin north to Blacklion (to which we hope to return in the future).
This is a region worth exploring slowly, for there is often a surprise around each corner.
The region's excellent roads are a delight, and indeed this whole area deserves a more thorough journey of discovery in the near future.