Source: The Windy Gap and Legananny (A Walk of Five Curiosities)

I will be returning to Spain to complete the Via de Plata in March. In the meantime, here is a very interesting local walk, on a mixture of tarmac roads and old tracks. It is, roughly, 16 kilometres in length, easy and gives spectacular views of the Mournes. If you are attracted by curiosities and the flotsam and jetsam of history, then this is the walk for you.
The walk starts at the 4,500 year old Legananny Dolmen, a superb example of the dolmen builder’s art and the first curiosity. To find the dolmen, drive to Dromara, then onward through Finnis. Take the first road on the left, as you leave Finnis. It is clearly signposted from there.
From the dolmen, walk back down to the Legananny Road and turn right. Follow the tarmac road for about a kilometre and then turn left along a grassy track signposted as Public Footpath. This track revels in the name of Windy Gap Pad Footpath. Keep to the right and climb uphill at first. When you reach the tarmac road, turn to the left and walk up to Windy Gap car park, from here you can enjoy stunning views of the Mountains of Mourne.
Follow the road downhill from the Windy Gap, in the direction of Leitrim. Pass the Benraw Orange Hall and turn right along Lighthouse Road. Carry on up the hill and you will see a sign on the right for Moat Pad Footpath. Follow the pad, going left, right and left again. After 200 metres the pad divides. Go through the gate on the right and climb up Carney Hill. The grassy pad eventually descends through a farmyard (very friendly people) and back unto a tarmac road. You are now in the town land of Deehommed or Dechomet (from Irish Deas Coimeád, meaning “good observation”). Look out for Red Kites in this area.
In the fields, directly opposite, is the second curiosity, two substantial and virtually intact raths. They are early Christian in origin, built by hand and would originally have contained a round house and possible a souterrain. After inspecting the raths (they are both worth a look) go back to the tarmac road and go straight ahead, for another 200 metres, into the village of Dechomet (Lowtown). Walk straight through the village to find the third and fourth of the curiosities.

On the far side of the village, you will notice a tall redbrick chimney, standing alone in a field, the next of the curiosities. It seems likely, that it is the remains of a linen or flax mill, never completed. However, local opinion is divided as to the origins of this strange erection. It remains an enigma on the landscape.

Directly behind it, is something even more bizarre. There is an ancient circular graveyard, with the majority of the grave stones arranged in a semicircle. Apparently, many years ago, the graveyard had to be moved, possibly to allow for the construction of the flax mill. The grave stones were lifted, with no record made of their original location. Plans for the mill failed. The stones could not be returned to their original location or owners and they had to be placed where you see them now. This is a unique but perfect place for lunch.
After the graveyard, return to Dechomet (Lowtown) and take the Ballymackilreiny Road, now on your right. Follow this to the t-junction with Millvale Road and turn left. After a few metres you will see a signpost for Adder’s Loanin Footpath. This will take you back full circle to Lighthouse Road. Retrace your steps along Lighthouse Road and then follow the signs for the dolmen along Legananny Hall Road which, interestingly enough, has an Orange Hall at each end.

The last, but certainly not least, curiosity, is the souterrain at Binder’s Cove. Drive back towards Finnis and you will see Finnis Souterrain clearly signposted. This is another remarkable structure and well worth a visit.
This is a relatively unknown and unexplored part of the Mountains of Mourne. It is dripping with history, full of interesting sites, wonderful views and perhaps, best of all, friendly people who are more than happy to stop and pass the time of day.