Botharboy Pass

Traditionally built by the Red Earl, who may be Red Hugh O'Donnell (O'Flanagan 1931, vol. 1, 105) or Ulick Burke, the Red Earl of Ulster c. 1300, it was further consolidated by Manus O'Donnell in 1540 and Owen Roe O'Neill in 1648 (O'Rorke, 1890, vol. 2, 299-301). It runs N-S through rough pasture and blanket bog across the Curlew Mountains in a valley called the Yellow Pass connecting Boyle with Co. Sligo (L c. 3km), and the battle of the Curlews (RO006-002001-) in 1599 was fought along part of its length. Its N end in Co. Sligo is in a coniferous forest, but it can be traced (L c. 1km) in Co. Roscommon across bogland as a depression (Wth 6-9m; D c. 0.2-1m). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 August 2010