Eagles rock, is the daughter of Tievebaun who, along with Benwiskin and Truskmore are some of the lesser known offspring of the Dartry Mountains. (Benbulbin, of course, being the best known).
Dartry is immensely proud of them, particularly Eagles rock.
Formation of Eagles Rock
Glenade valley did not exist until glaciation began at the end of the last ice age, certainly not as we know it to day. As the resident glacier began melting and slowly retreated towards the Atlantic it poured water in every fissure and crack in the rocks which continued to re-freeze and re-melt making the cracks bigger and wider until they broke away. The massive moving glacier which had been acting as support for the walls around it upon melting, took away that support , causing localized structural collapse. Part of that collapse released the remaining free standing pillar now known as Eagles Rock or conversely as Hag’s Leap.
Mythology
Another version of how it came to be is all-together different.
Given that it was basically winter all year round at that particular ‘once upon a time’, the Cailleach, Goddess of Winter (amongst other things), had lots of time to plan how her place of residence could look as and when the ice melted and she would have an abundance of access to massive rocks and boulders of all size and description to carry with her as she leapt from mountain top to mountain top throwing and placing them as she pleased.
As the glacier receded, she used it like an enormous digger manoeuvering boulders, causing landslides, slicing out cliff faces and valleys and scattering the bigger rocks by throwing them high into the sky, sometimes blotting out the sun before landing them exactly where she wanted them in her vast garden.
Using unimaginable storms and mountain toppling winds she created and then re-arranged the area to include a valley leading to a gap at the end of Tievebaun and fashioned out a land stack where she could perch with a perfect view from what is to-day now known The Hags Leap, or Eagles Rock at the end of Glendale Valley.
Glendale and the Valley Lake brings the term ‘beautiful scenery’ to a different level, as is evident, but try looking down at it from the predominant vicinity of Eagles rock, looking around the immediate vicinity in both directions bewildered at the wonder of her perfect serenity and ponder if and where you could have improved on what you gaze upon, had you possessed the Cailleach’s powers.
From this vantage point you now realise it is not just a land stack that is a marvel but she surrounded it by an array of numerous serrated, jagged and point- topped rock formations to make it difficult for us mortals to traverse her domain.
Conversely, since glaciation occurred over 12,000 yrs ago, another theory about it all is that, having received a vision of the damage humanity would wreak on mother earth and it’s living residents, the Cailleach in a frenzied anger used the force of the horrendous hurricanes and storm force winds to try and keep her personal garden out of reach of humans.
One thing the Cailleach never wanted made known is that she had a twin sister called Brigid, who had the direct opposite charactaristics of herself and that as winter receded into spring the sisters powers created the wonders of the spring and summer months and that it was in fact Brigid who actually designed Glendale valley.
Now, as you gaze down over the magnificent scene of Glendale Valley’s green plain, trees and lake, envisage this land being the home of bears, wolves and boars that ran free here, all those years ago, while the sky above acted as the playground of circling Golden Eagles (The Cailleach could transform herself into an eagle). These creatures in particular, were favourites of the Cailleach at any time of the year but were hunted to extinction by man, so when she foresaw the future, it is easy to see where her frenzied anger could have come from,. In an abnormal slip of character it is suggested that Brigid may well have helped her twin in the frenzied act of retribution.
There is a walk to Eagles rock that takes about 2.5 hrs., 6km there and back. It is considered easy to moderately challenging.
The one thing here that is not easy is for dog lovers leaving the dog at home however Dogs are strictly forbidden.
Should walking not be your forte, there is a highly recommended drive called the Manorhamilton- Glendale scenic looped drive combining the R280, R282, and R281 which is recommended. While a stop at Fowley’s Falls should be made compulsory by law!!!.
For more information on how to walk to Eagles Rock see this Irish Times article