Republican News · Thursday 4 September 2003

General Holt takes the Bogtrotters for a march

The last Sunday of August found the Tar Isteach Bogtrotters high above the sparkling Pollaphuca reservoir, following the trail of the 1798 United men across the hills of west Wicklow.

The start point was the pub at Lacken, with a few of the more "mature" type walkers starting a few miles further along the road (cute hoors). Then a climb up along the edge of the wood on Lugnagun, overlooking the area where the 1798 men and women had their camp. These rebels were under the command of the Dublin lawyer Colonel McMahon and they mainly came from Kildare, Dublin and Wicklow.

This camp was later joined by the experienced commander from Roundwood, Joseph Holt. The historian Ruán O'Donnell kept our walkers well informed (between gasps) about the camp and how it was moved from there to the more elevated and rugged Whelp Rock area.

To get to the Whelp Rock we first scaled the summit of Black Hill (602 metres) where some of our younger walkers wanted to join in the army exercises that were in progress.

From here on it was nearly all downhill through what was probably the last of the purple heather for this year. Then we followed the "Green Road" past the little known granite memorial to the RAF men who died in a plane crash there, during the Second World War. We carried on down past the Whelp Rock (where some schleveen tried to push Brian McNally off) and it was then only a short road walk to the Lacken pub.

There, over some well deserved refreshments, plans were laid for a slightly longer walk in two weeks time. Anybody interested should contact the Tar Isteach Bogtrotters at 01 8749990.

BY GAY CLERY