LEATBEG

I . Coming off The Harry Blaney Bridge, park at the lay-by on the left – Island Roy View.

2. Continue to walk uphill until the Leatbeg Crossroads and turn right.

3. On your left is Leatbeg Church of Ireland. This building, which opened in 1844 as a school, was consecrated as a Church in 1880. Before that, Church of Ireland parishioners attended service in Rossnakill Parish Church, making the journey on the Moross Ferry.

4. Further on this road to the right is the site of the former Leatbeg National School which closed in 1996 with five pupils on the rolls. This school was in operation from 1910, where Mrs. Margaret Peoples taught from 1923-1960. At the time of closure, Mrs. Isobel Gallagher was principal of the school. This site is now the home of the Bishop of Derry, Rt. Rev. K.Good and boasts one of the most breathtaking views Between the Waters – The Narrows, which was a shipping route for boats coming in from the Ocean, Seideagh and Muineagh to the left; and Lord Leitrim’s estate, Manor Vaughan, Mevagh and Downings to the right.

5. Continue on to a small cluster of houses – Leat Street. At the bottom of the street on the left hand side is the site of the former National School which was built in 1860.
Continue downhill, enjoying the views of Mulroy Bay, with Cashelmore on your left, and take the next right, until you reach the site of Marine Harvest Irl.,formerly known as Fanad Fisheries, which began operating in 1979.

6. Nearby is Leatbeg Pier where a service operated between Mulroy and Glasgow from 1883-1914, a joumey of around 18 hours, with ships the S.S.Rosguill, the S.S.Melmore and the Ganiamore, which was the last ship owned by Lord Leitrim.
Cattle, sheep and pigs were exported from here to the Scottish market, but passengers were also carried on this route, many of them emmigrating to America, joining the transatlantic liner in Derry or Moville.
The Rawross ferry, linking Rosguill and Fanad peninsulas, operated from a smaller pier nearby, run by Robert McElhinney. Mail was delivered this way, coming from the Carrigart P.O. This ferry closed in the mid 60’s. Also located here is the shop owned by George Peoples which was in business from 1904-1938.

7. Continue uphill, with The Harry Blaney Bridge visible on your left; at the top of the hill turn right and back to Island Roy View lay-by. This is a very pleasant walk of two miles.