Mealagh Valley seat recalls man who helped found local walk

A SOLID oak seat has been placed on the top of a hill in the Mealagh Valley in memory of a man much loved in his community.

Family, friends and neighbours gathered on Sunday, October 16th and walked part of the Drimoleague Heritage Walk in memory of the late Owen O’Sullivan – one of the founders of the route – who passed away suddenly last year. During the walk, the group unveiled a memorial seat at Glencreagh, which has become known as ‘Owen’s Kitchen’ – something Owen, a sheep farmer in the area, had christened it himself.

Owen’s son, William, together with family friend, neighbour and master carpenter Noel Burke, assembled the solid oak seat, where it now sits at the top of the mountain.

Forevermore, it will be a place of comfort and rest for walkers, as well as being a place where Owen will be remembered with fondness.

During the walk, the group also visited a local well, which is located about a quarter of a mile from the handmade seat.  Owen had often spoken about the well – which is known as Tobar Úr – and how it reputedly never ran dry.

It is noted too for the iciness of its waters, and people claim it to be one of the purest water sources in all of West Cork. 

The group of walked finished their journey with drinks of a different kind at the Mealagh Valley Community Centre, where many stories about Owen and the Mealagh Valley mountain were told.