Rathgormack Walks by Francis Quigley

“the Comeraghs, more than a place... it’s a feeling”

Rathgormack WALK S A series of waymarked road, forest and hill walks in north Waterford

Rathgormack WALKS

www.RathgormackHostel.com

Mullinavat

Kilsheelan CARRICK-ON-SUIR

CLONMEL

R68

r me Co

Mooncoin

Portlaw e Riv

ins nta ou hM ag

Clonea R6

uir

WATERFORD

Ballymacarbry

Rathgormack

Fiddown R67

N25

Kilmacthomas

How to get here - Driving Times Waterford Airport: 45 mins Dublin Airport: 2.5 hours Cork Airport: 2 hours Shannon Airport: 2 hours

Lemybrien

A series of waymarked road, forest and hill walks in north Waterford, close to Rathgormack village in the vicinity of the Comeragh mountains. For more information contact

Rathgormack Hiking Centre: (083) 4136168 www.rathgormackhostel.com How to use these cards Each route card carries a map and route finding instructions. The start/finish of each walk is at a trailhead with ample parking. The walking route is shown with coloured arrows with route finding notes labelled A, B, C... What to wear and carry Walking boots, wet gear, hat, gloves, warm clothes, food, water.

Rathgormack WALKS

Keep your eye out for the corresponding coloured arrow marker to easily guide you along the route

In case of emergency In the case of an emergency please dial 112 or 999. Strictly no dogs allowed on loops/trails.

Produced by Rathgormack North Waterford Community Development Limited with assistance from Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Waterford County Council, Michael O’Donoghue and John Power. Maps based on OSI material, permit number: 8653 © Ordanance Survey Ireland - Government of Ireland Design by Signiatec, Kilkenny 056 7766648 www.signiatec.ie

here is a list of the exciting walks that await you

Bóithrín an Mhargaidh Walk

Ross Bridge Road Walk

Clondonnell Loop Walk

Glenpatrick Bridge Loop Walk

Lough Mohra Loop Walk

Rath Beag Loop Walk

Coumduala Linear Walk

The Gap Linear Walk

The Boolas Linear Walk

The Boolas/Gap Loop Walk Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in compiling this brochure, Rathgormack Hiking Centre cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Some sporting activities by their nature may be dangerous and involve risk. It is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance.

Rathgormack WALKS Tower House

B贸ithr铆n an Mhargaidh & Ross Bridge Road Walks

2 Ballynacurra

Church

Ballynafina

Start Here

Hiking Centre

Rathgormack Services

Carrowleigh

1 n na thr铆 aidh i 贸 B arg Mh

gh Au

Boolabeg

C u Do

er Riv s gl a

Feddans Cross Rd. D

Ross Bridge

Castle

Shanakill Bridge

Motte

Clonmoyle

Rive r

a illin Stre anw at

Clod iagh

Feddans

Ballythomas

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Rathgormack, OSI Map 75, S344172 Rathgormack, Carrick-on-Suir 10km 2.5km and 6.5km 45mins and 1.5hrs Green Easy

Bóithrín an Mhargaidh and Ross Bridge Road Walks A choice of two looped walks here. Bóithrín an Mhargaidh is a gentle 2.5 kilometre stroll on minor roads with a short section along a grassy path. Ross Bridge is a longer road walk of 6.5 kilometres.

Walk Directions A-B From Rathgormack Hiking Centre, turn left (east), and pass the church and road to Carrick. 100 metres later turn right towards the mountain and drink in the splendour of Knockanaffrin Ridge and The Comeragh Plateau. After a further 500 metres the Bóithrín an Mhargaidh boreen on your left offers you a short ramble. Otherwise, continue on to the road junction. B-C Veer left here and soon you get fabulous views of the mountains. The large bite in the ridge is the Gap. To its left lies the brooding hollow of Coum Iarthar (known locally as the Boolas), its lower slopes clothed by the woods of Graigavalla. See how the plateau drops gradually to the east (left). Your eye can just make out the dark recess that is Crotty’s Lake, supposedly the lair of the 18th century robber, William Crotty, who was

hanged in Waterford in 1742. Straight in front of you, to the left of the road, is Croughaun Hill, believed to have been separated from the main body of the mountain by lateral faulting. At the next junction turn right and 300 metres later take a rest at Ross Bridge. C-D The Clodiagh from Coumduala and The Douglas from the Boolas meet at this serene spot and flow on through Clonea and Portlaw to the Suir. Look out for some interesting birds, notably the colourful kingfisher and dipper. When ready, retrace your steps to the road junction. Turn right and 1.5 km later you reach Feddan’s Cross. D-A Turn left now and make your way back to the village.

Disclaimer: Produced by Rathgormack North Waterford Community Development Limited with assistance from Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Waterford County Council, Michael O’Donoghue and John Power. Maps based on OSI material, permit number: 8653 © Ordanance Survey Ireland - Government of Ireland Design by Signiatec, Kilkenny 056 7766648 www.signiatec.ie

While every care has been taken in compiling this brochure, Rathgormack Hiking Centre cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Some sporting activities by their nature may be dangerous and involve risk. It is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance.

Rathgormack WALKS

Clondonnell Loop

Park

R678

Aughmore

Monadiha

3 Clondonnell

Rathgormack A

Knocknacreha Kilbrack

Hiking Centre

Start Here

182

Ballythomas Ballycullane

Clod i

B Graigavalla Bridge

agh R

Shanakill

g dia o l C

Riv

Curraheen

To The Gap, Lough Coumduala, The Boolas.

Boolabeg

iver

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Rathgormack, OSI Map 75, S344172 Rathgormack, Carrick-on-Suir 10km 11 km 3.5 hrs Red Easy

Clondonnell Loop Entirely on tarmac, this walk avails of the scenic minor road that stretches south-west towards the Comeraghs before winding its way back again to join the R678. As road walks go, the first half of this ramble is as scenic as any you will find anywhere, the route set against the backdrop of Knockanaffrin Ridge which can resemble a scene from the Alps at times during winter.

Walk Directions A-B From Rathgormack Hiking Centre turn right out of the village and take the first turn left (south). Just 200 metres down this minor road you pass the gap in the ditch on your right behind which can be seen the reputed beheading stone of the Powers, medieval lords of Rathgormack. Keep right at the junction a short distance later. All the while, the grandeur of the mountains is apparent. On the far left Crotty’s Rock towers above the coum also named after the 18th century robber. A little further right is Coum Iarthar or “The Boolas”. The dip in the mountain is the Gap and the serrated ridge beyond, Knockanaffrin. Coumduala can be made out to the left of the forestry. The high point above is Knockanaffrin itself, and, hidden below to the right, Lough Mohra. After about 1.5 kilometres the road Cloch na gCeann starts to meander along the banks of the Clodiagh. Enjoy this serene place. Pick up the sights, sounds and smells of nature. The heron is a regular visitor along the river here. Pass off the turn for Graigavalla on your left and continue on to Graigavalla Bridge.

B-C At this point the road leaves the river. Soon it swings south and you seem to be heading straight into the Gap. A kilometre later it’s the morainic dammed Lough Coumduala and Knockanaffrin Ridge that loom large. There seems to be more grass than tarmac now. Wonderful! C-D About 2.5 kilometres from Graigavalla Bridge the road swings dramatically right in Curraheen townland (C). A boreen on the left leads to a good starting point for hillwalking expeditions to Coumduala, the Boolas and the Gap. Continuing on the road brings you to Clondonnell and your eye is drawn upward towards dramatic Carrigsheegowna (much of the 1975 film, Barry Lyndon, was shot here), protruding from Knockanaffrin Ridge, and the verdant slopes of Croney Hill further right. D-A Approx 3 kilometres from the Curraheen bend you reach the R678 (D). Turn right now and take care on the last 3 kilometres back to the village.

Heron

Rathgormack WALKS Standing Stone

ster Mun East

Harney's Cross Rd.

Glenpatrick Bridge Loop Walk

Way

Coolishal Wood

Boola

O M il

Road

Rive

it a r y

Boola Bridge

sha la

315

Aughavrellia Bridge

To K ilsh

eel an

Stile

Start Here

Foundations of mining houses

Slate Mine

D Mass Rock

R678

A Glenpatrick Bridge To Ra t

hgor

mack

Poulavone

Glenpatrick

Carrigsheegowna 500

310 602

Moanyarha 441

Knocksheegowna

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Glenpatrick Bridge Picnic Area, OSI Map 75, S289194 Rathgormack 5km, Carrick-on-Suir 12km 8 km 2 hrs Green Moderate

Glenpatrick Bridge Loop Walk The second half of this walk is particularly interesting as you take a trip back in time under the north eastern slopes of Knockanaffrin Ridge along part of the old and very scenic “Clonmell to Kilmeaden” road, a military road built in the early 19th century (as so many military roads were) in response to the 1798 Rebellion and local faction fighting.

Directions to Trailhead. Start: from the picnic area near Glenpatrick Bridge (S289194), 6 kilometres west of Rathgormack just off the R678. A-B As you turn right onto the road, walk through the peaceful Glasha gorge for 200 metres to Glenpatrck Bridge. Follow the green arrows left into Coolishal Wood then veer left at the Y junction. Compact Rush and Foxglove dot the path margins here Glenpatrick Picnic Area and you may be lucky to spot some deer coming down to the stream to drink. Continue along the forestry road by the river and, after nearly 1km, veer left at the next Y junction. After 500m you approach an exit onto the R678 near Boola Bridge. Do not exit - instead swing sharp right, staying on the forest path. B-C Ascend now but look behind you. Some of “The Seven Sisters” of the dramatic Knockanaffrin Ridge loom large. Turn left at the next junction and, shortly afterwards, left again. Now you are travelling parallel to (but well above) the R678 - continue to do so for almost 1km to reach a marker post which directs you left onto a narrow track. This soon exits onto the R678

near Harney’s Cross - take care crossing it to join the old road which starts your homeward journey. C-D This 3 kilometre stretch is all that’s left of the early 19th century military road. It affords splendid views of Knockanaffrin Ridge. Soon after you cross the Glasha at Aughavrellia Bridge the road climbs and views of Slievenamon, Carrickatober, Burnt Rock and Toor Hill open up on the left. A clump of trees on the right marks the remains of houses linked to Glenpatrick slate mining in the 19th century. A kilometre nearer the ridge you can make out what is believed to be an authentic mass rock. All the while, the peaks of Carrigsheegowna, Knocksheegowna and the pyramidal peak of Knockanaffrin itself, draw ever closer. In winter snow “the Reeks of Glenpatrick” are positively alpine in profile. Soon after the path descends to a sheep grid you are on tarmac, 10 minutes later you reach the R678. D-A Turn left and follow the road for 200m, now turn right and follow “Lynch’s Boreen” as it descends to the ruins of the Glenpatrick Slate Mine. Turn left - the trailhead is only 50m away.

Rathgormack WALKS

Lough Mohra & Rath Beag Loops

5 6

Poulavone

Rath To gorm ac

R678

Glenpatrick

Curraghkiely

Raths

Start Here

Carrigsheegowna

500

Croney Hill

Rath Beag

310

602

Knocksheegowna

678

Spur to Lough Mohra Stile

Lough Mohra

Glennanore

Knockanaffrin 755

Curraheen

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Glenpatrick Wood, OSI Map 75, S285180 Rathgormack 5km, Carrick-on-Suir 12km 7km and 3.5km 2.5hrs and 1hr Red and Blue Moderate

Lough Mohra and Rath Beag Loops You have a choice of two looped walks through Glenpatrick Wood - a longer one to Lough Mohra, a fine example of a glacial coum, and a shorter one past An Rath Beag, Waterford’s smallest ring fort. The Knockanaffrin Ridge provides a dramatic backdrop throughout.

Directions to Trailhead. Start: Turn left (south) off the R678 at Glenpatrick Cross about 6 kilometres west of Rathgormack. 700 metres along the forest track you will find room to park at a path junction - S285180. A-B From the trailhead follow the red (and blue) arrows along the forestry road (blue is for the shorter Rath Beag Loop). Continue for 300m to reach a junction where both loops turn right. B-C After a short gentle draw, you are rewarded with glorious views of Carrigsheegowna and beyond it, Slievenamon. Soon the path loops back on itself and after a few minutes you reach a four-way junction. C-D The blue loop (An Rath Beag) goes left here but you are turning right. As you gradually climb, drink in the stark beauty of Knockanaffrin Ridge from Carrigsheegowna on your right to Knocksheegowna on your Carrigsheegowna left. Soon the path loops back on itself again. Off to your left lie the forested plateau of Coolishal and Toor Hill with the Glasha Gorge in between. Continue straight on for the majestic pyramidal peak of

Knockanaffrin, the highest point on the ridge at 755 metres. To its left you can make out the “Ass’s Ears” or Crotty’s Rock, and further left, Croughaun Hill. When you reach a 3-way junction where the loop swings left and downhill (D), follow the green arrows straight ahead if you want to view Lough Mohra. When you reach the hairpin bend leave the track and head left for 300 metres across the open mountain until you reach the lake. Called “Loch Mór” in Irish, this lough is anything but big and it is possible to walk around it in ten minutes. D-E Suitably refreshed, retrace your steps, following the green arrows to the 3-way junction (D). Turn right here and, following the red arrows now, veer left at the next junction. Two minutes later turn right at the four-way junction you met on the way up (C). After a few minutes you will pass An Rath Beag ring fort on the left. E-A When you reach the T junction, veer left, then left again and less than ten minutes walking west will take you back to the start.

Curraheen Trails

Rathgormack WALKS

Coumduala, The Gap & The Boolas Linear Walks

7 8 9 Graigavalla Bridge

Ballycullane

Riv er

To Rathgormack

iag

Start Here

d Clo

Stile

Standing Stone

Stile

Coumduala Lough

Open Mountain

Graigavalla

B Old Stone Wall

Main Access Pat

630

ve r

Curraheen

las ug o D

Cairn Field

8 B贸 To

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Nire Valley

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466

9 Boolacloghagh

The Gap

The Boolas Carrignagower 767

Crotty's Lough

Coum Iarthar Loughs Cairn

Crotty's Rock

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Curraheen, OSI Map 75, S306154 Rathgormack 5km, Carrick-on-Suir 12km 5.5km 2.5hrs Orange Moderate

Curraheen Trails - Three Linear Walks Rathgormack Hiking Centre has way marked some hill walks from Curraheen. Curraheen affords one of the most pleasant approaches to the north eastern Comeraghs and is an ideal starting point to explore the Gap, the Boolas and Coumduala. Walk 7 Walk 8 Walk 9

Coumduala linear The Gap linear The Boolas linear

5.5km 7km 9km

Coumduala Linear Walk

2.5hrs 3.5hrs 4hrs

Follow the orange markers Follow the white markers Follow the yellow markers

“Coumduala” means the hollow of the black cliffs. Although one of the Comeraghs’ loneliest and least known coums, it is well worth a visit.

Directions to Trailhead. Start: To reach the Curraheen trailhead, follow the R678 west from the village for 3km to Clondonnell Cross. Turn left here and drive for a further 3km to a sharp right angled bend. Parking is available in an old farmyard 50 metres up the boreen. A-B From the trailhead (S306154) follow the orange markers south along an old boreen for about 300 metres. Cross a stile, a couple of fields, another stile, one more field until you reach the open mountain after about 15 minutes. Drink in the views as the dramatic Knockanaffrin Ridge draws you on. The dip in the ridge on the left is the Gap. A large moraine obscures most of the impressive Coum Iarthar (Boolas) further left. Further left again is forested Graigavalla. B-C To the right of the Gap is a large mound. This is the end moraine impounding Lough Coumduala and is your destination. Veer right when you exit onto the open mountain and keeping with the orange markers, you soon pick up a boundary wall which you follow uphill for about 200 metres (a headwater stream of the Clodiagh on your left goes all the way into the coum).

Mountain Ash

Move to your right away from the wall now and continue climbing. After about 30 minutes you reach the first of Coumduala’s transverse moraines. Look behind you. Can you see Slievenamon and closer to you the sweep of the Rathgormack Plateau which blocks out the Suir Valley? Continue upward and soon you reach the inner moraine. Make your way to the lake by climbing past the small waterfall, keeping it to your left. This is arguably where the Clodiagh begins its journey. C-A A walk around the lake should not be undertaken as cliffs reach down to the shore in places. The end moraine here is one of the most impressive in the Comeraghs, completely obscuring views of the valley below. When ready head down slope and return to the trailhead. Disclaimer:

Curraheen Trails

Rathgormack WALKS

The Boolas/Gap Loop

Graigavalla Bridge

Ballycullane

Riv er

To Rathgormack

iag

d Clo

Start Here

A Stile

Standing Stone

Stile

Curraheen

Open Mountain

B Coumduala Lough

Graigavalla

Sceachs Old Stone Wall

ve r

Main Access Pat

630

Cairn Field

ithr铆n na So B贸 N To

ire Valley

chraide E

466

las ug o D

re gh i a St

Boolacloghagh

The Gap

10 D Carrignagower 767

The Boolas

Crotty's Lough

Coum Iarthar Loughs Cairn

Crotty's Rock

Trailhead Services Length Time Waymarking Grade

Curraheen, OSI Map 75, S306154 Rathgormack 5km, Carrick-on-Suir 12km 9/10km 4.5hrs Purple Moderately Strenuous

The Boolas/Gap Loop We Irish owe a debt of gratitude to geomorphologists like Frank Mitchell (“Reading the Irish Landscape”) for explaining the part played by natural forces such as glaciation in shaping our landscape features. This interesting walk links two of the most spectacular glacial features in the Comeraghs. At 1km in length, Coum Iarthar is the longest coum and houses the highest lake in the mountains and is known locally as the Boolas. A “buaile” in old Irish meant a summer herding place, usually in the hills. The term “Boolas” today refers to the four ribbon lakes in this beautiful coum. The Gap is a glacial col or saddle and serves as a high level pass between the Nire Valley and Rathgormack. The name “Bóithrín na Sochraide” on old maps indicates its use as a funerary path in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Directions to Trailhead. Start: The trailhead is the same as for walks 7, 8, 9 – at Curraheen S306154. A-B Follow the purple markers to the open mountain as per walk 7. B-C Now turn left or south. Cross a couple of streams and when you reach the corner of Graigavalla forest, keep the trees on your left and you soon pass a huge boulder at the bottom of the Gap path. This, according to archaeologists, is possibly a Bronze Age cairn field site. Ahead, Crotty’s Rock and the large chasm of the Boolas loom large. Continue along the edge of the wood until you reach the Douglas stream. C-D Turn right now and, keeping the water on your left, ascend for about 1km into the coum. When you reach the second lake the marked walk veers right. You may wish to follow sheep tracks across the moraine to explore the inner coum. The innermost Boola is the highest lake in the Comeraghs at 550 metres elevation.

the head of the Gap. Straight ahead the sinuous Knockanaffrin Ridge beckons. To your left (west) is the Nire Valley with Coumlara, Sgilloges, Coumalocha, and Coumfea in the distance to the south-west. E-A When ready turn right and descend “An Staighre”, the rocky path of the old “Bóithrín na Sochraide” route north-east. Off to your left the highest point on the ridge above the forest is Knockanaffrin itself while the large mound protruding from the ridge is Coumduala. After about 1km you reach the huge boulder at the bottom of the Gap path. Turn left and follow the markers back to the trailhead. The Boolas

D-E Make your way carefully to the mouth of the coum and follow the purple markers for 1.5 km, descending to