Benburb Valley Park
Directions
Travel westwards along the M1 until the motorway ends and becomes the A4. Take the 1st exit onto the Mullybrannon Road. Turn left onto the B130 when the Mullybrannon Road ends. Turn left onto Main Street Benburb at the end of the B130. Benburb Priory is on your right 300m along Main Street.
The Ulster Canal
Bridge over Ulster Canal
The 46 mile long Ulster Canal with its 26 locks was completed in 1842. It ran from Charlemont on the River Blackwater to Wattle Bridge on the River Finn, south-east of Upper Lough Erne.
It was an ill-considered venture, with the locks built narrower than the other Irish waterways, preventing through trade, and it had an inadequate water supply. It was an abject failure commercially, and contributed to the collapse of the Lagan Navigation Company, who took it over from the government but were then refused permission to abandon it when they could not afford the maintenance costs. It finally closed in 1931. Waterways Ireland started work on rebuilding the canal at its southern end in 2015.
Benburb Castle
The recently restored Benburb Castle which stands in the grounds of the Priory is a plantation bawn built in 1611 by Sir Richard Wingfield, on the site of an O'Neill strong point on a bend in the Blackwater River which had been constructed as early as the 15th century.
The irregular four-sided bawn has large rectangular flanking towers at the north-east and north-west corners and a smaller round tower at the south-east corner. It is built on a limestone cliff overlooking the River Blackwater, the border between County Tyrone and County Armagh. A 19th-century tower house occupies the south west area of the bawn.
SPECIFIC
Parking is at the Servite Priory, 10 Main Street, Benburb, BT71 7JZ grid reference H& 817 521.
Servite Priory Benburb
From the main Priory building the walk head downhill along the path towards Benburb Castle and the River Blackwater. After descending down to the River Blackwater on a steeply sloping path cross the river on the white metal bridge.
The metal bridge at Benburb Valley Park
The route follows the abandoned Ulster Canal to Milltown where for a short time there was a heritage Centre celebrating the history of linen in the area. The fine stonework on the canal lock at Milltown is worth a look.
The essential walk is 3.5Km. but it can be extended by following some of the network of paths on this southern side of the river. It is also possible to follow the path to the east of the metal bridge before returning to the Priory Building.
Although it is regularly maintained extra care may be needed after storms which can result in broken branches and other debris on the path creating a tripping hazard.
If walkers take reasonable care and keep to the towpath there should be no significant risks. Walkers tend to congregate at the car park on arrival and they should avoid standing too close to others and/or wear face coverings. Otherwise there are no parts of the walk where maintaining social distancing should present difficulties. The good sense of our walkers, the exposed location and the breeze expected on the day should all help to minimise the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
GENERAL
Leaders - all leaders have many years’ experience leading walks of this type and have received relevant walk leader training. Mobile phones and walkie-talkies ensure that leaders can keep in contact with each other in case of emergencies.
Participants - all participants are mature adults. They are experienced in the type of walks undertaken by the group.
Preparation - participants are aware of the footwear (walking boots), clothing (warm and waterproof) and equipment needed on walks. Any walkers thought to be ill prepared for walks will be advised that they should not walk.
Health and Safety - all walks are graded (1 to 4) depending on difficulty and participants are advised of the nature and length of the walk. This information is posted on the group's website. Walkers are required to carry ID which states their name, address, date of birth, known medical conditions, allergies, medication currently being taken and emergency contact details for at least one person i.e. name, relationship and telephone number(s).
Covid-19 - if a large number of walkers turn up they may be separated into smaller groups e.g. by staggering start times. Walkers are reminded to maintain social distancing before and during walks and not to share equipment, e.g. walking poles, where there is a risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
Equipment - leaders carry first aid kits and have had first aid training. Shelter tents, "bivvy" bags emergency, foil blankets and walkie talkies are carried on hill walks and otherwise where appropriate.