Joe Mahon loves getting out on the road. This time his travels lead to the Slieve Croob area, the heart of a mountainous area known as the Dromara Hills, north of the Mourne Mountains. His passionate interest in local history and in people facilitates numerous interesting encounters. On this occasion, we’ll meet a local dowsing expert, learn about stone walls from a stone wall builder himself, meet a local blacksmith as well as a wood carving enthusiast inspired by the beauty of the place itself.
It is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as a birthplace of the River Lagan. A small road leads to the summit, where one can enjoy one of the best 360 degree panoramic views. Slieve Croob is also locally known as ‘The Twelve Cairns’ due to the remains of what is believed to be an ancient burial site at the summit. It is believed that the cairn would have had a well-defined shape when it was built. Some of its stones have been piled into smaller cairns on top of it which led to the summit being nicknamed 'The Twelve Cairns'.