The Glen, Strabane, 7 Aug 2022, Short v1

Walking Gear

If your planning a visit to Strabane Glen you should consider wearing a good pair of waterproof walking boots or a pair of wellinton boots (if it been wet), the latter provides little ankle support if rambling / climbing. Depending on the weather, a light waterproof coat is advisable.

 

The following are some renownd landmarks associated with Strabane Glen: Hamilton's Leap, The Crows Nest and Lundy's Cave.

 

Hamilton's Leap

Hamilton was a gentleman possibly an Irish Confederate soldier, who fought against Oliver Cromwell in what is commonly refered to as the 1641 rebellion, the Confederate War, the Cromwellian War or better still, the the Eleven Years War (1641-1652).

Having been defeated in battle, and the last of his followers slain, Hamilton took refuge in Strabane Glen, which is situated about one mile from the town of Strabane, County Tyrone. He remained here for many years as a hunted outlaw. However, returning one evening from a friend’s house, where he had gone to acquire some food, and riding on his horse along the rocky bridle-path about one hundred feet above the glen floor, he was suddenly surprised by a band of Cromwellian troops.

The old soldier, to deny his capture, flung his sword in the face of his enemy and spurred his horse over the precipice, and was dashed to pieces on the rocks below. The location is still identified by locals and to this day is called “Hamilton’s Leap.”

There's a suggestion that Hamiltons horse left an impression in the rock of one of the horses hooves. I've not went up there to check, maybe another day?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwellian_conquest_of_Ireland

 

The Crows Nest.

The crows nest is a rift in the rock such as a large fault that has divided the rock into two or more pieces. In this case the crack is wide enough to allow sufficent space for a person to climb up a chimney like crack, a vertical elevation of about 5m to an well camoflaged ivey cladden outcrop which provides a magnificant view across the glen.

 

Lundy's Cave

Lundy's Cave is a large alcove with a prominent overhang. I remember years ago as a young boy people carved their names in the soft stone, possibly Soapstone or Steatite?

 

Hamilton's Leap poem by William Collins extract provide by Michael Harron.

“They have chased the old lion away from his den,

At last he is driven to bay.

And against five hundred mail-clad men

I can’t very well essay.

“On right and left I can see their spears,

And behind do their horsemen ride;

In front a yawning chasm appears —

And there’s death upon every side.

“Through many a long and weary day

They have hunted me hard and fast,

And I baffled and foiled their plans alway,

But the bravest must die at last.

“My bonnie mare, you have served me well,

When weary and sore distressed;

When the Saxon bullets around me fell,

And their troopers behind me pressed:

“But never again shall we scour the plain

with banner afloat and free,

And gallop o’er heaps of Saxon slain,

For to-day you must die with me.

“So here’s one prayer for the land I love

In sorrow, in joy, or dole;

One curse on the foe; and may God above

Have mercy on my poor soul!”

He spurred his horse till the ruby gore

The rocks and moss o’erspread,

Gave the fatal leap — in one moment more

Both rider and horse lay dead.

He lived the life of a soldier brave,

He died as a soldier should,

And the grass grows green on his Irish grave,

’Mong the hazels in Mourne’s wood.

 

Strabane Glen is a narrow valley supporting a calcareous ash/hazel woodland which is typical of this region and whose presence is related to the underlying geology. The total lenght of the woodland measures approx. 1.78km (1.11 miles).

The valley represents a line of weakness between the Upper Dalradian schists and a basic igneous unit, possibly enhanced by local faulting.

It was developed as a meltwater channel during the final deglaciation of the Sperrins, as indicated by outwash deposits and by washed rock outcrops on the valley sides.

 

Strabane glen has been assigned as an "Areas of Special Scientific Interest" (ASSIs) by the Department of Agriculter, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA), these are protected areas that represent the best of our wildlife and geological sites and make a considerable contribution and the conservation of our most valuable natural places.

 

How are ASSIs identified?

ASSIs are identified by scientific survey. On most occasions the survey is undertaken by staff of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

 

Why do ASSIs need protection?

We all need to conserve our natural environment as it provides the essentials in our life, such as our food, clean air and water and places for recreation. To do this we need to prevent loss of Biodiversity which refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans that support life on earth. Additionally, to protect geo-diversity, the rocks, minerals, fossils, soils and landforms that have been formed over millions of years and determine our landscapes and the species that live there.

 

How are ASSIs protected?

The best way of protecting our plants and animals and where they live is to protect the land, the freshwater and the seas. It is essential, especially in light of the pressures of modern development, to ensure that the most important environmental areas are protected and managed to form a network of natural areas that are capable of supporting our plants, animals and geological heritage into the future.

 

Grey squirrel

Grey squirrels are widespread in all counties in Northern Ireland except County Antrim. In the Republic of Ireland they are widespread in central and eastern areas. Grey squirrels were introduced into Ireland in 1911. Six pairs were released at Castle Forbes, County Longford in the Republic of Ireland. The animals thrived and quickly spread to the surrounding counties. By 1946 grey squirrels were present in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. The River Shannon in the west of Ireland and the River Bann in Northern Ireland have both slowed the grey squirrel’s spread but it has recently overcome both these natural barriers and is likely to continue its colonization of the entire island.

 

Squirrel wildlife and habitat impacts

The introduction of the grey squirrel to the British Isles has had a devastating effect on the native red squirrel population which has declined rapidly over the last fifty years. Grey squirrels are particularly well adapted to life in deciduous woodland and outcompete red squirrels for available food.

Often within fifteen years of grey squirrels arriving in this type of habitat, the red squirrel population has disappeared. Red squirrels seem to be able to compete more successfully with grey squirrels in coniferous woodland and the two species can coexist if an area of woodland is large enough. Red squirrels can survive in some areas if they are given extra food. The food must be placed in special feeders that grey squirrels cannot use.

Red squirrels are susceptible to a potentially fatal viral disease, Parapox virus. This can be carried and spread by grey squirrels who appear to be immune to the disease. Grey squirrels strip bark from trees so they can feed on the soft inner layers. This can cause considerable damage and in severe cases the tree may die.

 

The Strabane Glen - Poem by Johnny Burns

donegalgenealogy.com/johnnyburnspoems.htm

Strabane glen is a lovely place that has won high renoun

In a valley low near Knock A Voe that hill so high and brown

Close beside is Foyle's bright tide where many bridges span

It runs along the Kings highway from Derry to Strabane

Croughan hill so calm and still stands gazing over all

And far away on the horizon are the hills of Donegal

Thousands come from other lands this hallowed spot to see

Hamilton's Leap, the London House and the Lordly Cottage Lea

But time brings many changes and the spoilers hand is seen

To cut down all the Oak trees that were often dressed in green

The rabbits and the badgers must find another den

Desolation stares the face of their old home, the glen

The Magpie in the Fir tree will lose her ancient nest

And weary Rooks returning home won't have their glen to rest

But cruel men oft takes the life he never can restore

And gone the Pigeon and the Owl, gone to return no more

But father time saw many a crime through all the ages past

And now his eyes gaze with surprise on Rankin from Belfast

Rankin sharped his cruel tools and sent his cruel men

And told them to cut all the trees in Strabane's romantic glen

This noble place for scenery unequalled throughout the land

Where visitors are always seen upon its slopes so grand

I've seen the Lakes of Killarney and I've kissed the Blarney stone

But Irelands parlour I have seen in the County of Tyrone

Strange scenes are witnessed every day by touring girls and boys

When they see the mighty Oak trees fall and hear the crashing noise

They say it is wrong to cut the trees, they complain of it day and daily

Some of them blame Rankin while others blame Colonel Bailey

They blame not the butchers that come here to toil

Mc Brearty from Cavan and Boyd from Glensmoyle

Nor Mc Granaghan from Rosagiernor, Evans from Porthall

All's blamed on Rankin when they hear the trees fall

It would make a pig laugh to see how they run

How they all keep away from Hattrick and Quinn

Its the fate of myself to work with these men

and assist them in cutting this historic old glen

Gaffer Joe is here to show to cut the trees with skill

And Jack O' Brien with a lorry fine soon hauls them to the mill

Next are the fearless horsemen that everyone enjoys

When the gypsy's tail blows in the gale you'll hear the Mc Elroys

They are the finest horsemen that ever I did see

They jumped Hamilton's leap so high and steep beside the Cottage Lea

And I can't forget young Doherty that lives beside the glen

Also Hughie Gallagher both skillful timber men

To cut the trees that fought the breeze in many a winter's blast

They entered in the service of Rankin from Belfast

The Strabane Urban Council, all educated men

Are very much to blame, I think, for the cutting of the glen

Had they increased the rates a halfpenny in the pound

They could have paid a man to guard this blossom of their town

The stronghold of their sires, O' Hanlon and his men

In natures face there's no such place as Strabane's romantic glen.

 

Directions to Strabane Glen:

Access from the Currly Hill Road is possible if you know were to look, however better access and parking is available from the Woodend Road.

 

Access via the Curley Hill Road.

From Market Street in the Town Centre

Head in the direction of Omagh / Plumbridge

At the crossroads with Castle Place & Church Street turn left (Devlin's Bar is on your right).

Travel up Church Street onto the Curley Hill Road for approx. 1.4km (0.86 miles).

Until you reach the Y-Junction with the Ballee Road.

About 400m below this junction on the left is a small opening in the ditch / hedge (as seen in the "Strabane Glen" video).

This is the access point into the Glen.

Park in the small layby on the right-hand side of the road, (with the view down the Glen) just before the sweeping bend.

 

Access via the Woodend Road.

From Strabane, head towards L/Derry on A5 Victoria Road.

Head for Artigarvan / Donemana turn right onto the B49 Woodend Road.

Approximately 440 metres take a right @ T-junction @ RG Car Wash.

Seek permission from property owner, RG Car Wash to park here.

Parking may be available outside working hours e.g. evenings, weekends etc.

Its about a 300 to 400 metre walk from RG Car Wash to the glen access point.

 

Done