John G O'Dwyerbraves the legends and takes an easy hike up the Devil's Bit
IN PROFILE IT is one of our most iconic mountains. Generations of travellers on the Dublin-Cork railway have gazed in fascination at the unmissable gash in its flat summit, which is clearly visible above Templemore. Salient Irish peaks have attracted a mixture of superstition and worship for centuries, and Tipperary's Devil's Bit Mountain is no exception.
A charming legend suggests that a fleeing demon took an angry bite from its summit, later dropping it to form the Rock of Cashel. Unfortunately, scientifically minded spoilsports have pointed out that the Devil's Bit is entirely sandstone while the Rock of Cashel is a limestone outcrop. Nevertheless, the mountain offers a charming walk with great views and many historical connections for those who enjoy an easier outing.
From your parking place (see panel, right), walk for a leisurely 20 minutes, keeping to the left when the track divides, until you reach a T-junction. Go right and follow it around to the south side of the mountain.
Here you will notice a prominent tower on your right. This is not a round tower of ancient origin but an 18th-century folly, built by the land-owning Carden family of Templemore. It was, however, used as the site for a monster meeting in 1834, when Daniel O'Connell addressed a crowd of 50,000 people as part of his campaign against the compulsory payment of tithes to the Anglican Church.
At this point go left and follow the track steeply upwards. To your right you will pass an altar and shrine. On a late July Sunday each year, known locally as Rock Sunday, this is the scene of a pattern-day pilgrimage for the celebration of Mass. This continues a centuries-old tradition that also takes place on many other Irish mountains.
Continue upwards and you are soon within the gap that forms the Devil's Bit. Disappointingly, it turns out to be a rather mundane notch, but the sense of history is maintained by the fact that it was on a ledge in the nearby cliffs that the priceless Book of Dimma, which now resides in the National Museum of Ireland, was discovered.
Now head left towards the summit of the Bit. A short rocky climb past a statue of the Blessed Virgin is required to reach the actual top, which is crowned by a large cross. Here you are rewarded with views to Lough Derg and the Slieve Bloom Mountains, while to the south you gaze across the plains of Tipperary, bounded by the Galtee, Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains.
Descend from the summit by a track on the opposite side of the Bit from that you approached the summit by. This track skirts a forest on the left, then enters the trees before joining a wider track. Go left at this point and continue until you reach the T-junction encountered earlier. Here a right turn brings you back to your car.
If you prefer a longer outing, you can extend your walk by returning from the summit to the Devil's Bit gap, then following a track that ascends to a plateau known locally as the Long Rock.
Continue along the plateau, past a trig point, before descending towards a distant communication mast. Return along the main track, which again leads to the original T-junction and, 20 minutes later, to your car.
THE DEVIL'S BIT CO TIPPERARY
Starting point:From the Templemore-Borrisoleigh road follow the signs right for Barnane. Continue by, following the sign marked Devil's Bit View at the next crossroads. When the road reaches its highest point, park at the large gateway.
Suitability:An unchallenging outing for those of moderate fitness. Care should be taken, however, near the summit.
Time:Short walk: two hours. Extended walk: three hours.
Map:Ordnance Survey Discovery Series sheet 59.
Accommodation:Saratoga Lodge is a B&B beneath the Devil's Bit. 0504-31886.Food and accommodation are also available in Templemore.