OUTDOORS Walk of the month – Oghillees Mass Rock Walk

Walk in the footsteps of others


Walking
Cathleen Fergus

Oghillees Mass Rock Walk
Total Distance 4km to 16km, depending on route taken   
Estimated Time 1-5hrs
Degree of Difficulty Easy to moderate
Trail Surface Bog road, bog, hilly terrain
Minimum gear Walking boots and raingear/camera

Nestled safely below Ben Gorm in the Nephin Begs, looking down on Clew Bay, lies Oghillees Mass Rock. The rock is one of many used by our forefathers to celebrate their faith in times of persecution during Cromwell’s campaign against the Irish and the Penal Laws of 1695. Its location is not by accident. With miles of views in every angle, those on watch had plenty of time to warn Mass goers if there was any risk of being discovered.


The Oghillees Mass Rock Walk forms an integral part of the Burrishoole Walking Festival itinerary. But it is also a walk I know quite well for different reasons: It is close to home, and every year, we made the journey to a spot further down, to where our turf bank lay in wait at summer time, until the arrival of the Stanley Oil range.
To get to the Mass Rock you have a myriad of routes to choose from. The Mass Rock route is signed with purple arrows on yellow as an extension to the Oghillees loop, the longest of the Derradda Loop Walks, which starts at Derradda Community Centre.  Follow the red and green arrows, towards Lettermaghera and rather than turning back down towards Lough Fadda, continue west along the red arrowed Achill Spur until you meet a junction and follow the markers for the Oghillees Mass Rock, 4kms further up the hill.
The route is well marked with a stream to your left as you ascend, making sure to veer right at the final marker that leads you across to a cluster of stones where an outline of the cross can still be seen today and where, the sound of the more recently-appointed metal cross humming in the wind will act as a reassuring guide.
The Achill Spur can be accessed by a number of different routes; depending on how long or short you wish to make your walk. The Spur and all the trails that loop off it can be accessed off the Great Western Greenway, at one of the many junctions along the way. For those of you who have already experienced the Greenway, the routes above it offer the chance to come back and discover the spectacular beauty that surrounds it. 
Alternatively, drive to Carrowsallagh, around five miles from Newport, take the road to the right and follow to the junction, taking care to park where you do not obstruct property or machinery.

Walk in the footsteps of others to the Oghillees Mass Rock on Monday, June 4, as part of the 25th Burrishoole Walking Festival. Mass will be concelebrated at the rock at 2pm.  Visit www.burrishoolewalkfest.net for further information on the festival, which takes place this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Cathleen Fergus works for South West Mayo Development Company as Rural Recreation Officer. Her job includes the design, development and promotion of walking and cycling trails. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.