Hanging Rock, Fermanagh
Hanging Rock is a large limestone cliff with an obtuse angle. It is located beside the village of Florencecourt in Fermanagh, and which is part of the Cuilcagh mountain region. The cliff is in an area dedicated as The Hanging Rock Nature Reserve, which is in turn part of the 'Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark'.
- Location map: 54°15’25"N, 7°42’14"W
History
Hanging Rock has long been a notable landmark in the area. Referring to the rock as "Gortatowell Rock" (referencing the townland of today's Gortatole), in his publication "Upper Lough Erne", 1739, Reverend William Henry wrote:
"Just under the brow of the cliff... lies the great new road leading towards Sligo. It is usual for passengers to stop here and admire the awful [sic] majesty of the cliff hanging over them, and the huge lumps of rock that have tumbled down from it, and to entertain themselves with the extraordinary echo frequently reverberated between the lake below and the hollowness of the cliff."[1]
Geology and hydrology
The cliff is formed chiefly from limestone, specifically Dartry limestone overlaying Glencar formation. The point where the two formations join is visible at the base of the cliff.[2]
At the base of the cliff are two springs from which rise streams and these are known as the Hanging Rock Risings. One of the springs is constantly active, while the other dries up during times of low rainfall.[3] The springs are both traced to one source, Legacapple on the Marlbank above,[4] but the water is believed to combine from a number of other sources.[3]
Flora and fauna
The Hanging Rock Nature Reserve at the base of the cliff consists of damp ash woodland, an endangered woodland system.[5]
Historically, the cliff was home to eagles, hawks and jackdaws.[1]
Salter's Stone
A large boulder sits prominently by the roadside, having fallen from the cliff at some time in the past. It lies on the original road from Florencecourt to Blacklion and local folklore states that it landed on top of a wandering salt merchant who was travelling along the road at the time. It is said that whenever the rock was found the next day that there was a ring of salt surrounding it. The rock became known as the Salter's Stone, or Cloghogue.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Henry, the Rev. William: 'Upper Lough Erne' ed. Sir Charles S King (William McGee, 1892) pages 51–52
- ↑ Carboniferous Subarea–1; Derrygonnelly–Marble Arch–Cuilcagh: Earth Science Conservation Review (via Habitas)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Marlbank–Cuilcagh Mountain Region; Western Marlbank: Earth Science Conservation Review (via Habitas)
- ↑ Gunn, John: 'Water tracing in Ireland: A review with special reference to the Cuilcagh karst' (Irish Geography) volume 15, issue 1 (1982) pages 94–106
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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