Tullokyne - Killannin Esker Trail

Welcome to the Tullokyne – Killannin Esker Trail. This is part of a series of trails celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of the area. This trail will bring you along what is acknowledged as the best example of an esker on the west side of Lough Corrib. The esker follows an east-west direction for 6km from Tullokyne to Killannin. This esker is part of a truly living landscape with rich biodiversity and archaeology evident all along its route. The esker has played a key role in the history of the area as evidenced by the settlement patterns, land use and archaeology. The raised, dry ridges were used by people as routeways or natural corridors to ease navigation over the surrounding wetlands and woodlands. The deposits of abundant glacial drift were also used as a key building material for housing as well as the building of the Old Galway-Clifden Railway (1895-1935). We hope you take time to explore and enjoy this trail.

What is an Esker?

ESKERS are essentially fossilized rivers dating back approximately 20,000 years. The word esker comes from the Irish word Eiscir, meaning a long sinuous ridge of gravel, sand and boulders deposited by rivers of meltwater at the base of the retreating glacier. The rocky core is covered by soil supporting a variety of plant life.

Geology

The bedrock geology of the region north of Galway Bay is dominated by igneous rock (formed from magma) known as the Galway Granite. It was formed between 420 and 380 million years ago. Carboniferous limestones can be found beneath the midlands. This limestone would have been deposited in warm, tropical seas about 350 million years ago when the north-east Australian coast was thought to be found near the equator. The boundary between the Galway Granite and the Carboniferous Limestone is known as the Lough Lurgan Caledonide Thrust. This limestone bedrock is visible in the surrounding area as the eskers formed on top of it. Furthermore, the dry stone walls reflect the fossiliferous nature of the bedrock limestone.

Ecology

ESKERS are home to a wealth of wildlife. The well-drained nature of the esker slopes creates the ideal conditions for a variety of insects, birds, badgers, grasses and wildflowers to flourish and grow. Long sections of the esker roadway are bordered by flower rich banks and fields of fertile grass, whilst the area around Ower is bordered by wetland.

Images include:

• Wood White butterfly

• Orange Skipper

• Dragonfly

• Sand and mug layers below the peat showing the geological history of the land.

• Meadow buttercup receding into the scallions.

• Spotted Burnet moth on the esker near the Ower junction.

Archaeology

Points of Interest on the Route:

Tullokyne School, built in 1886 of Carboniferous Limestone.  It had a porch to the front with a small window. A Victorian porch was added later. It is thought that a “Hedge School” was located in the place because Brian Rua prophesied in 1690 that the parish would have five free State schools with no priests or nuns.

Vernacular house (cottage style) built of mortared limestone with a thatch roof, which was commonly found in the landscape.

Ower Holy Well (Tobar Éanna) – Located on the SE side of the esker, it is still in use today and visible via a surface track that leads to it.

Points of Interest Off Route:

Towards the western end of the esker is the site of Killannin Church and Graveyard. The ruins of the 13th-century church are partially incorporated into a modern cemetery. The church was formerly associated with the Augustinian Priory of St. Mary de Portu Patrum at Annaghdown. The adjacent graveyard continues to be used.

Major Paget’s Hut – He was an officer during the War of Independence who lived here. His hut remains visible today.

Tobar Aithnis (Holy Well) – Close to the base of Ross Lake, 6.9 km SE of this site (St. Anne’s Church, Killannin). Aithnis was an early Christian hermit, and the name is thought to have associations with St. Aengus. The holy well and surrounding trees suggest it was an important site for early religious worship.

Killannin

The parish of Killannin derives its name from the early Christian Saint Aninne.

The Name Maigh Cuilinn

The name Maigh Cuilinn can be translated as “plain of the holly.” However, the mythological interpretation of Maigh Ullinn suggests a battle on the western shores of Lough Corrib around 800 BC. Ullinn was the grandson of Nuadu of the Silver Hand, King of the Fir Bolg at the time of the Tuatha Dé Danann. A great stone (Cloch Mór Ullinn) is said to mark the burial place of Ullinn.

Leave No Trace Principles

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Be Considerate of Others

• Respect Farm Animals & Wildlife

• Travel and Camp on Durable Ground

• Leave What You Find

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Minimize the Effects of Fire

Safety and Comfort

• It is recommended that you wear appropriate footwear and bring waterproof clothing.

• Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

• Take care when crossing roads.

• Mobile phone reception in the area is limited.

In the Event of an Emergency

CALL 999

• Stay Safe by Staying Together.

• Note your location and landmarks.

• If you have a map, mark where you are and relay your position.

Keep Dogs on Leads