The Murder Hole - Images to share

amcinroy

Hi folks,

I was up on the Rosguill peninsula of Donegal last week and took a visit to what must be one of Ireland's least well known gems, Boyeeghter Bay. This is certainly the most beautiful beach I have ever visited. There are no car parks, ice cream vans or sun loungers here. You have to walk over the fields and dunes to get to this one.

The Bay also goes under the more sinister name of 'The Murder Hole'. It must have some grisly past, but I have yet to find out what happened here.

smash

Great shots

Morrisseeee

Really like that 1st one ! brilliant. (edit: and the last with the sunlight on the sea).
I drove thru Donegal a few years ago, and yes, the beaches are outstanding, especially in the right weather/light !
I must go up there again (/...if I only had the time).

dakar

Lovely shots Andy. My Dad grew up right in the middle of the Rosguill peninsula. It is a special place alright.

amcinroy

Dakar,

That's very interesting. Perhaps you might be able to answer a question I have.

The bay I photographed is known locally as the 'Murder Hole'. I can't find anything online about the history behind this name. A murder hole was normally an opening on a castle wall where the people inside could reign down hot oil and arrows. So as sounds like this place might have been used for a surprise attack or ambush. It would be all but impossible to make an escape if caught down here.

Do you happen to know how this bay got is name?

.Longshanks.

Three lovely shots! Reminds me of home

Wile E. Coyote

Found this on WIKI. Doesn't mention 'The Murder Hole' but might just be an idea of where the name came from.

The area is heavy with legend, the name itself is supposed to have originated, when Fionn mac Cumhaill finally obtained justice by killing Goll mac Morna, the slayer of his father. This act is traditionally said to have taken place at a rock called Carraic Ghoill English: Carrickguill lying off the townland of Dooey. The entire area became known as the "Headland of Goll" or Rosgoill.

Deirdre and Naoise, are thought to have camped on the strand of Tramore, when fleeing from Conchobar mac Nessa King of Ulster and his Knights of the Red Branch.

The highest point on the peninsula is Gainne Mhor and its sister peak Gainne Bheag. The name derives from Gráinne, betrothed of Fionn mac Cumhaill and lover of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Whilst fleeing Fionn's Fianna warriors en route to Scotland, legend has it that they rested on the hill. Considerable damage to the south western face of Gainne has been the result of unrestrained excavation in recent years. It was also used as a dump for a period. Nach mór a' náire (What a shame).

In the late 4th century the son of Niall Noigíallach and the eponym of County Donegal (Tír Conaill),Conall Gulban , defeated the warriors of Ulaid, at Ballyshannon and Barnesmore. Conall's army chased the fleeing Ulstermen through Goll (Rosguill), Crích Chloinne Rosa, Crích Ua nDuach, Caim-Fhersaid Mhór, to the shores of Lough Foyle. Conalll Gulban and his brother Eógan, became the ancestors of the Kings of Tír Conaill and Tír Eógain (County Tyrone) respectively.

chezzer

Amazing shots !! -- I was in Donegal when i was a boy ... these beaches are fantastic ... and such clean water as well ..

dakar

I asked my Dad and he hasn't heard the term before. He's going to ask around for you though.

Also he's got a book at home called 'Rambles around Rosguill' that I'll have a look through when I get a chance.

I'll keep you posted

.Longshanks.

I know of a particular beach in Donegal that is only accessible from a neighbouring beach when the tide is out. the beach is known locally as stuck-in, because a few people of the years have driven their car around to it when the tide was out. Tide came back in the they were "stuck in". The only way out then in to climb a mini cliff
Local Donegal terms - i could go on for days with examples of stuff like this!

amcinroy

Many thanks Dakar, much obliged,

Longshanks, do share. I'm always on the look out for quiet places tucked along the coast. Where is it?

Andy

.Longshanks.

amcinroy wrote: »

Many thanks Dakar, much obliged,

Longshanks, do share. I'm always on the look out for quiet places tucked along the coast. Where is it?

Andy

Its about 5 miles north of Buncrana. There is a little pathway all the way from buncrana to Stragill with a couple lovely beaches on route. Stragill is accessible by car but the majority of the rest of them ain't. "Stuck-in" is just around the corner from Stragill (when tide out ) or across a few fields and down a small but steep hill otherwise. The entire coastline all the way up this side of inishowen is covered in beaches like this.
Its been a while since i was out this way but would take a lot to top Boyeeghter Bay in your pics above

amcinroy

Aha !!!!! Longshanks

you mean this one

I checked my geotagging and I'm in your exact spot.

Hehehe. Whats the chances of that
Mind you there aren't many holes in Inishowen I've not climbed into.

.Longshanks.

Bloody hell :eek: Thats mental!

Dodgykeeper

Andy super shots again, your work is amazing.

Am up your way on the 23rd, plan on visiting the Causeway then getting Ferry to Greencastle, visiting Ballyliffen and Fahan en Route to the Brandywell for the Europa Cup match, a whistle stop tour!

amcinroy

And another



Now lets see if I can get your brain working.

Where in Inishowen is this? It's up your way for sure.

amcinroy

Dodgykeeper wrote: »

Am up your way on the 23rd, plan on visiting the Causeway then getting Ferry to Greencastle, visiting Ballyliffen and Fahan en Route to the Brandywell for the Europa Cup match, a whistle stop tour!

Do get in touch when you come across. I'd be delighted to take you down a big sea cave.

.Longshanks.

amcinroy wrote: »

And another



Now lets see if I can get your brain working.

Where in Inishowen is this? It's up your way for sure.

Are they from the same beach? I can't remeber the beach name but us the first taken from a beach right beside an old convent / retreat centre?

Morrisseeee

Just wondering if ye lads(amcinroy,Longshanks100) or lassies have any photos of a beach (or beaches) around Dunfanaghy. I remember taking a back road near Dunfanaghy and finding a wonderful beach (extended beach). I had an old film P&S at the time but still love looking at my (ordinary) photo, the whole scene is very colorful & peaceful.

Just googlin there and wondering if this might be the beach I'm talking about, ie. the 'X' in the map.
Also Is the 'correct mark' in the map the location where you took that No. 1 photo in your opening post ?

amcinroy

Moriseee,

Could it be this one?

This is Tramore Strand which is a short walk from Horn Head bridge at Dunfanaghy. A beautiful beach and again, one you have to walk to.



Longshanks, think over the gap. Mamore Gap that is.

Morrisseeee

mmmm.....not sure (another lovely pic BTW)
Looking at Google Earth, I think it might be Magheroarty Beach, I might be wrong with my assumption its near Dunfanaghy.

amcinroy

Morisee,

No I am mistaken, the photo I have shown is of the beach to the west of horn head on your map.

The X is the main beach that you can see from Dunfanaghy (Killahoey I think). I think the other one is the Marble Hill beach on Ards. I don't have any photos of that one I'm afraid.

Magheroarty is further west than your map shows. I think that is out where the summer ferry leaves for Tory Island.

Andy

Morrisseeee

Well if you gooogle enough you'll eventually find what you are looking for, this is a pic thats very similar to mine, strange as I always assumed it was near Dunfanaghy, doh!