By Barbara O’ Flaherty   [Courtesy of Dundalk Leader]

"Have you been to the road where things go backwards?" It’s an old joke Dundalkers never tire of playing on visitors to the town. For we all know a secret that out by the Long Woman’s Grave this really does happen the road does or at least seems to go backwards.

There's a section of road in that particular area that goes sharply downhill and if you stop the car at the bottom of the hill and put it in neutral then release the brake the car will appear to roll backwards up the hill. When it was first discovered it was subject to major publicity. RTE filmed it, scientists swarmed in and studied it and people everywhere clamoured to experience it.

According to the scientists and others who had studied this phenomenon it's actually a very clever illusion, but a very real and convincing one. Apparently the funny angle of the hill means that although it looks like you are rolling up the hill, you are in fact actually rolling down it.

Also, it isn't the only one of its kind there are many roads like this around the world. Follow the road to the top of the hill, then down into a dip where you'll see a big mushroom. Stop there, put the car in neutral and release the brake and you will roll backwards up the hill. Why not pop out some day and try it for yourself. Just ask for the magic road. It really does have to be experienced to be believed. Another one of the wonderful quirky little things I love about Dundalk.