Owenwee Bog Walk

Take the N59 (Leenane Road) from Westport, go through Knappagh and turn right at the Owenwee sign. Pass the entrance to Brackloon Wood on the right, take the next turn left and continue for about 1.5km. The walk starts at a junction, just before a bridge over the Owenwee River.

Take the road to the right (don’t cross the river). Follow the boreen for 5km or so, as it winds its way through farmland along one side of a broad valley, crossing a number of small streams. Croagh Patrick is the dominating feature of this part of the walk; the back of the mountain draws ever nearer, and the well worn pilgrims path stands out like a wide gash in its side

The road becomes a track with grass growing up the middle and soon, as it enters commercial woodland, there is a gate to the left. You can clearly see your path ahead from this point. Go through this gate, closing it behind you, and after about four hundred metres turn left at a T-junction and continue along the other side of the valley. Less than a kilometre later the road passes through another gate, indicating the end of Coillte owned land.

Now the walk takes you through extensive bogland and gives an ideal opportunity to see turf saving in operation - both by hand and by machine. Stay on the ’main’ road, ignoring any small roads. The road is very open and straight, but does swing fairly sharply left after a small bridge. As you continue, the view opens out in front of attractive small hills and drumlins. The joyful song of the skylark is a regular feature on this walk and the keen eyed may also spot the well camouflaged golden plover on the bog.

The road becomes more enclosed by stone walls and fencing and leads to a T-junction. Turn left and continue on for a short while over the Owenwee River and back to the starting point.