Over the holidays I took the opportunity for a much needed breather and spent some quality time just relaxing at home with family. On one of the days I did something I’d meant to do for a while and made a trip to the Hill of Allen to see for myself what was left of the ancient mound.
For those unfamiliar with the story, the Hill of Allen is an ancient site celebrated in Celtic myth and with connections to Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Na Fianna. If my mythology is correct it served as part of a ring of hills around Tara which could all communicate with each other by fire at night lit by druids. On a visit to Lullymore bog centre a few years ago a similar site was pointed out to me, also in the bog of Allen.
Unfortunately in modern times the Hill had lost something of its mystique with some of the surrounding lore perhaps fading from public consciousness, in fact the site has been the subject of mass mining and quarrying for the past few decades. In recent years a protest group was established and they have done some good work in raising awareness of the issue and highlighting the Hill and its heritage.
However even now, one side of the hill is almost completely gone and concerns are growing as to the remainder of the structure and the stability of the round tower at its zenith. An ongoing legal battle is underway involving the protest group, the quarry owners and the county council.
As is usually my approach with these matters, and out of simple curiosity, I set about to see for myself just what was the state of play and set off for the hill, kids and dog in tow.
We arrived a little late in the afternoon and first of all had difficulty finding access. There is only one entrance point and that is a bare siding at the edge of the road with room for only one car at a time. It is also not particularly safe being on a bend and on a steep and narrow road.
Undeterred we made our way across the boulders at the entrance (which block access to what would be a perfectly good car park!) and up the winding path that marks the start of the trail. The going is reasonable for the most part and the ascent is not unduly steep although I would recommend allowing enough time and wearing suitable footwear. The path to the summit and the tower is a little offshoot off the main trail and wends its way through quite a bit of dark woodland along the way. As with all these places, it was quite silent apart from the odd animal or bird noise which at least highlights the wildlife still in habitat on the hill. In the dusky twilight of our ascent it all had a rather spooky feel about it, even a little entrapped, which is not helped by the wire fencing at both sides surrounding the final footsteps towards the summit.
Photo taken with camera held over head!
The Round Tower is the central feature at the top of the climb and though one is at a height, the view of the surrounds is largely obscured by the protective netting which separates the public path from the majority quarry land. There is an obvious safety reason as there are some sharp drops but the net result is a countryside more akin to a prison cell.
It is too late to put back the part of the hill which has been excavated to date. But there is much that could be done to prevent further degradation and restore the eminence of this heritage site.
Firstly the access should be improved. The gravel area at the foot of the hill could be opened to the public with safety measures applied at the entrance. The divide between the quarry and the remaining hill could be revisited to enhance the character and provide better access to the views from the top. The natural environment on the remaining hill should become a protected special heritage and nature zone.
Looking in larger terms, the area needs to become less dependent on quarry and rather realise the heritage potential. Provision of a visitor centre could provide an alternate focal point with spin-offs possible in tourism and marketing potential. Rural pubs struggle for business in recent times and there are many picturesque taverns in the vicinity which could serve as hostelries for backpackers, hill walkers or just families on day trips.
Similarly in this specialist age boutique products have huge potential. Developing the Hill as a brand may give a new lease of life to local industry. A range of products all centred around the hillside location. What about woolen knits from sheep grazed on the hill? Hill of Allen whiskey anyone?
But if my children are to repeat the trip with their children, then something has to happen, and soon.