1. Siúloid a’tSáis / Sauce Creek Walking Trail
Start/Finish: Brandon Village
Time: 4 Hours 30 Minutes
Distance: 13.6km
Ascent: 370m.
Classification Grade: Strenuous. These are physically demanding trails, which will typically have some sections with steep climbs for long periods and the going underfoot can be extremely rough including many obstacles. Suitable for users accustomed to walking on rough ground and with a high level of fitness. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing required.
Brief Description:
Take a walk to the edge of the world and visit Sás Creek, a most dramatic coastal feature, Sás Creek is a large U-shaped inlet with high, steep slopes. The Irish word “sás” translated means ‘a trap’ using a noose, referring to how much flotsam and jetsam is washed into the narrow cove. This is a grade two walk over public road, bogland and also uses a well surfaced bog road.
Important information:
The cliffs at ‘An Sás’ are dangerous, do not cross the wire fencing along the edge of this coast line as there is a great deal of land subsidence and it is highly dangerous. Please do not attempt to descend into the creek as it is dangerous, especially in wet weather. Do not bring dogs on this route, even on a lead.
Local History:
There was a population living in Sás Creek during the early 19th century and one of the families remained into the early years of the 20th century. There is part of one green field remaining from the settlement. The other green fields in this area are completely eroded. Below shows evidence of cluster of buildings in Sás recorded on Ordnance Survey taken in 19th century but of which we can’t see evidence of today.
Remnants of the old abandoned village at Araglen remain nearby, where up to thirteen families lived at one time. Here they grew wheat and rye and kept livestock and cultivation ridges are still visible beneath the heather.
Natural History:
Watch out for the large number of Choughs which can be seen in Sás. Choughs are members of the crow family that can be recognised by their distinctive red beaks and legs. The Dingle Peninsula has the greatest number of these birds in Western Europe.
Route:
For the best directions on this route please pick up the ‘Cloghane & Brandon Walking Guide’ from ‘Siopa an Phobail’ or ‘Halla le Cheile’.
Route map for New Sás Route by CFLT an Leith Triuigh Teo on plotaroute.com
Local Information: Brandon point is also known as ‘Srón Broin’ – The Nose of Bran. Brandon the Navigator and his crew spent several years sailing the seas before landing at Brandon Point. Legend has it that one of his followeres set foot on land and turned to dust. The tale tells of Bran lying along the coast off Brandon Point to protect all those living in the area. The point is said to be his nose, while ‘Más na Tiompán’ refers to the hip joint. The lookout station near Brandon Point dates back to WWII, when it was manned to keep watch for foreign boats in Irish neutral waters.
Cnoc Dúiléibhe is a hill west of Brandon Point. It is named after the Bean Sí ‘Dora Dúiléibhe’ who lived in the hills. She could be heard crying when there was a death or impending death in Brandon.
On this hill you will notice the ruins of Goat Enclosures.
These stone enclosure were designed so goats that were grazing on the mountain would hang around to feed their kids. The farmer kept the kids in the smaller chamber within the enclosure . Allow the mother goat a certain portion of time to suckle its young and the rest was milked off for the kitchen table.
Also on this hill see the EIRE sign on the hill (recently rediscovered and to be cleaned up) which was put in place during World WarII to alert planes overhead of where exactly they were.
Here is a recent article about it in the Kerryman by Joan Maguire
Here is a link to more information EIRE signs of WW II | GPS of the past (eiremarkings.org)