Doolough Valley

Doolough, the dark lake, fills the floor of a narrow valley between Mweelrea and the Sheeffry Hills, with the R335 running along its edge and steep slopes rising directly from the water on both sides. It is a striking drive in any weather and an oppressive one in low cloud, which is common. In March 1849, during the Famine, several hundred starving people walked from Louisburgh to Delphi Lodge to be assessed for relief, were turned away, and walked back through the valley in appalling weather; an unknown number - accounts differ, and the figures given have been disputed by historians - died on the road. A stone cross beside the lake commemorates them, and an annual memorial walk retraces the route. The valley has no settlement, no services and few places to stop; the road is narrow with sheep on it and the light is poor for much of the year.

What you actually see

• The lake - dark water filling the valley floor between steep slopes.
• Mweelrea and the Sheeffrys - the ranges on either side.
• The memorial cross - the 1849 famine walk remembered by the road.
• The emptiness - no settlement or services along the whole valley.

When to go

April to October. The valley is dark and closed-in under cloud, which is frequent. There are only a few lay-bys; there is nowhere to stop safely on most of the road.

Honest expectations

A narrow road with sheep and few passing places, and almost nowhere to pull in. No facilities anywhere in the valley. The memorial site is a place of some weight and is treated as such locally.

Nearby

Louisburgh and Roonagh Quay are north; Delphi and Killary Harbour are south.