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Recommended starting point: top of Mill Road (marked S2 on
map).
Panoramic View of the afforested steep River Lickey Glen.
From this elevated point looking southwards and eastward
the intertwining groves of multi-varital forest trees
merging with the sessile oak/hazel native trees is a
stunning feature as the sun illuminates a kaleidoscope
of canopy colour. These hues change dramatically with
the seasons and the very rich wild floral habitat is a
joy to behold especially in late spring/early summer.
There is an abundance of bird life augmented by our
summer and winter migratory visitors and this vantage
point will whet the apetite for more intensive
exploration as the walk progresses.
Proceed southeast-wards down the Old Mill Road, Beech
trees thrive on this south facing slope and adorn the
hedgegrow on the river side. The embankment on the left
is planted with sitka spruce, a native of Alaska and the
undergrowth of bracken, gorse and briar are punctuated
by outcrops of ling heather, irish furze and bilberry,
evidence of ancient blanket bog, that once covered most
of the upper Lickey Valley Catchment Area.
A feature of this descent towards the Mill is the
keystone principle in dry wall construction. These walls
have stood the test of time and are a monument to the
men who built them.
As you swing right over the stone bridge a wonderful
stand of mature Norway Spruce Dominates the entrance to
the Old Mill. Dromgullane Mill was one of the biggest
Mills in Ireland with fours sets of Mill Stones, in
1850. The Miller was a Thomas Fuge and the valuation was
an enormous £80 (at that time). Unfortunately the Mill
and its attendant buildings have been removed. A narrow
section of super structure is all that remains today in
testimony of an area which was once a hive of activity.
Fallow deer are abundant in this area and Kestrels,
Hawks, Falcons, Owls and Bats can also be observed.
Deep in this valley, apart from Ash, Willow, Alder and
Birch, clumps of Native Hazel and Sesile Oak trees are
to be found and as you continue upwards on the Mill road
there is a stately stand of Noble Fir with its
characteristic glaucous needles. Again the undergrowth
contains Ling Heather, Gorse, Bracken and Bilberry.
On the upper part of the Mill Road, look out for
Crabtree, Rowan, Birch, Woodbine and Wild Dog rose. Male
Fern and Meadow Sweet abound in this area.
On reaching the tarred road, swing left. A Monkey Puzzel
tree (Chilean Pine), dominates a cluster of houses. This
tree which comes from the Araularia Province of Chile
thrives in Ireland. After a short walk along this
country lane, swing down the ancient St. Declans Way
into ancient history and join the monks of long ago as
they walked from the Monastery of Ardmore to Cashel.
The Traditional one room Labourers Cottage stands at the
top of this road. Note the Natural Slate Roof and the
characteristic half door. The flora on this descent is
similar to the Mill Road. In late Spring primroses and
violets abound on the dry fieldstone fences where you
can see Holly, White and Blackthorn under Ash. Wild
strawberries feature in this rich hedge grow. A
tributary stream accompanies you for some way before it
joins the Lickey.
Towards the bottom of St Declan’s Way, directional signs
mark a detour to a wooden bridge. Just here there is an
ancient Folacht Fia, a communal cooking area where hot
stones were used to heat water in a wooden receptacle
for cooking purposes.
Having crossed the bridge, clumps of Hazel, Sesile Oak,
Ash, Sycamore and Beech meet your gaze. Half way along a
paddock fence you discover the stepping sstones used by
the monks to ford the River. Waterweed such as
watercress, water starworth and bog pondweed can be seen
at this point.
As you climb up St. Declans Way on the North Side you
enter a dense beech forest. The ground cover is mainly
of Celendine (Greater and Lesser), and Wild Strawberry.
As the Beech canopy thickens, groundcover all but
disappears, leaving clumps of Male and Hard Fern. Look
out for a Solitary Scots Pine in the Middle of the
Forest. This variety is our only Native Pine Tree.
As you emerge from the Beech Wood the link herb Rober???
Greets you, as undergrowth to White and Black Thorn –
Dog Rose and Woodbine entertwine with these species and
occasional clumps of European Furze skirts the way.
On reaching the tarred Road, swing west along the
highway. This area is nearly all tillage, which attracts
other species of birds such as Yellow Hammers, Black
Caps and Buntings. Also a diverse range of tillage fauna
commonly known as weeds!!!. This typical contry lane,
bright and airy, after the darkness of the Beechwood
affords the traveller glimpses of the River Valley
below. The Road Dips below the treeline at a hair pin
bend. Again a small Beech Wood appears elevated above
the roadway on the right hand side. In Spring there is a
total ground cover of Golden Lesser Celending with
spikes of Wild Bluebell protruding – a magnificent
sight. Look out for Horse Chestnut in this area.
You return to the Apex from whence you came and look
back from this vantage point and marvel at the
ecological experience you have just enjoyed.
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