THE BIRREN

Take a leisurely drive from The Ponderosa, and enjoy a panoramic view across six counties, Lough Neagh and Lough Foyle.
Starting from the Ponderosa, turn left and travel along the Glenshane Pass for ½ mile, then turn right to cross the cattle grid on to the Coolnasillagh Road. A few hundred yards later you will pass the entrance to Glenshane Forest on your right. Follow the Coolnasillagh Road, which veers sharply left at this point, and climb upwards.

Stop at the highest point of the road where there is a superb view across several counties. The landmarks are too numerous to mention, here are just a few;

  •   To your left Mt.Slemish (438 metres), an extinct volcanic plug where St.Patrick is said to have tended sheep as a boy

  • The River Bann and Lough Neagh are in front of you.


  • Across the Lough the Mountains of Mourne are visible on the horizon.

  • Slieve Gallion (528 metres) to the south is the high mountain on your right.

  • The ancient town of Maghera holding the road to the Pass of Glenshane

  • Carntogher Mt, where Shane Crossagh made his famous escape from his captors.

The Coolnasillagh Road falls rapidly from over 1,000ft to around 300ft in less than 3 miles, be sure to test your brakes before descending! Turn right from the T-junction at the bottom, travelling 3 miles into the village of Moneyneany where you bear right towards the Birren Road.

Now the road rises steeply, passing Moydamlaght forest up on to the moss. Take your time and enjoy the scenery, watching out for sheep crossing the road! Have your camera ready because, from the highest point on The Birren, your next stop, there is a superb view of Benbradagh Mountain which overlooks the market town of Dungiven. You may spot hang-gliders using the mountain to take off. Beyond this, in the distance Lough Foyle and the Mountains of Donegal are visible.

During the spring and summer you are likely to meet local people cutting their turf banks. Turf cutting is still predominantly done by hand, often using a tool known as a Maghera Spade. Elsewhere in Glenshane you may see turf which has been cut by machine, these are long, sausage-shaped tubes of turf, cut by a heavy tractor towing a special plough-like attachment. Why not pause a while and see how it's done?

Seven miles from Moneyneany take a left at the T-junction, where the Birren Road ends. Soon after this you are once more on The Glenshane Pass. Turn sharp right and travel an unhurried 5.8 miles along the Pass until Glenshane Forest reappears on your right and you are back again at The Ponderosa, N.Ireland's highest pub, where food and refreshments await!