We all need to get out now and walk off all that excess food we consumed over the holiday. I suggest the Poet’s Trail around Mullaghbawn.
Begin at Ti Chulainn Centre and proceed across Sparrowhill bridge up the incline and into Mill Road – a narrow, hedge-bound lane with little traffic. You will pass the birth-place of the poet Art Bennett and the last working flax mill of the area. You will also pass by (or visit) the Hag’s Chair, correctly named the Ballykeel Dolmen.
Return to the modern day as you enter the main Crossmaglen-Newry Road, then quickly off again into the 500 year-old Cowans Road. Acroos there are the lower slopes of Slievenacappel (mountain of the horse) then return to cross the main road at the Mullaghbawn Folk Museum to meet the Tullymacrieve Road. Cross Ballinaseck Bridge on to the Cashel Road and turn left onto Cnoc na Damhsa (Hill of the Dances). Proceed past the new local golf course and the pony-trekking centre to Glendesha Road and from there back onto the Forkhill Road to Mullaghbawn and round again to Ti Chulainn Centre.
It’s a scenic, easy-going eight miles in total. You will enjoy it.
Full route on Google Maps:
Google Maps Route