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You are here: Home / Archives for Drimoleague Heritage Walkways

St. Finbarr’s Way

January 7, 2014 by Dunmanus

Stretching from the Top of the Rock, Drimoleague, to Gougane Barra – a distance of 31 kilometres – this two-day walk follows in the footsteps of Saint Finbarr who visited Drimoleague in the 6th century.

The St. Finbarr’s Way walk – Slí Bharra – passes through the village of Kealkill, taking in part of the Carriganass walks on the way.

St Finbarr's WayPilgrims who follow in St. Finbarr’s path cross three valleys and four mountain systems before they arrive at Gougane Barra, and they complete the journey by joining the Beara-Breifne Way to complete a steep and spectacular descent, with the hermitage of St Finbarr visible below in its serene lake island setting.

On Easter weekend 2014, the route will be walked by pilgrims taking part in Ireland’s first Pilgrim Paths event. For the first time in many years, bands of pilgrims will walk each of Ireland’s pilgrim paths simultaneously, reflecting as they walk on the beauty of creation laid out before them.

Places are still available if you would be interested in joining the pilgrims travelling along St. Finbarr’s Way.

This is a difficult and challenging walk in places and should not be undertaken in poor weather. Guided pilgrim walks on this route are available at www.westcorkwalking.com. You can purchase the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book at Centra, Drimoleague for more details.

To shorten the route, you can choose to walk the ‘Pilgrim’s Way‘ section only. This involves you walking to Gougane Barra from Carringanass Castle in Kealkill.

The walk has won praise from Carl O’Brien in The Irish Times.

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, St Finbarr's Way, Walking

Deelish Cascades Walk

January 7, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Deelish Cascades Walk is a scenic and relaxing one-hour walking route along the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways in West Cork.

Leaving Castledonovan Bridge, walk the old mass path along the banks of the Ilen River, with its cascades, cliffs and patchwork field systems.

This linear walk takes about one hour. You get a real feel for the river, with its cascades, dippers (wading birds) and occasionally an otter. A huge river bend in the form of an ox bow is quite interesting, as are the archaeological features you can see from here, a mound at Seehanes, and a ring fort at Deelish.

The path joins a quiet road and continues to the Ahanafunsion bridge amenity area. You can purchase the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book at Centra Drimoleague for more details on this walk.

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, Walking

Schronacarton Walk

January 7, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Schronacarton walk offers a pleasant stroll for walkers of all abilities. It takes you along one of the Drimoleague Heritage Walkway routes which extend the Sheep’s Head Way eastward.

It starts at the Railway Yard in the centre of Drimoleague village – the hub for a number of scenic walks through Drimoleague’s rich and storied country sidde.

The route takes you on a scenic walk which passes a restful amenity area at the Mall with a lovely picnic area. It is a linear walk along a quiet country road, and so you will walk back by the same route.

There is much history and folklore to discover along here, as you will find in the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book which can be purchased at Centra, Drimoleague.

The Drimoleague Inn offers a fine spot for refreshments after your walk!

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, Walking

Mealagh Valley Walk

January 6, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Mealagh Valley walk offers a challenging 10-kilometre walking route for hikers. It forms part of the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways network here in West Cork.

About half of this walk is on tarred roads. Once you get to Coomanore Lake, you are on the Mullaghmesha to Kealkill walk. This spectacular three and a half hour walk offers lovely views, history and heritage.

This is an incredibly varied walk. You’ll see a landscape that changes from windswept mountain to deep woodland. The route takes you past a megalithic tomb and a stone circle and the lovely village of Kealkill with the striking landmark of Carriganass Castle as the terminus of your walk.

You can purchase the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book at Centra, Drimoleague for more details.

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, Walking

Glanbannoo Walk

January 6, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Glanbannoo Walk is an invigorating one and three quarter hour loop walk which leads you through bog road, valley and ridge in beautiful West Cork.

Starting at Coomanore Lake, this walk takes you westward to Lough Bofinne. It has quite spectacular views along the ridge, deep mossy woodlands, and yet at no point is it too rugged and steep to be described as more than “moderate” in difficulty.

You can purchase the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book at Centra, Drimoleague for more details of this walk. The guide introduces you to the trails on the eastern side of the famous Sheep’s Head Way walking route.

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, Walking

Glanaclohy Loop Walk

January 6, 2014 by Dunmanus

The Glanaclohy Loop Walk is a spectacular loop walk from Castledonovan to the top of the hill. From there you can see almost the entire West Cork coastline.

It’s part of the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways network which extends the original Sheep’s Head Way walking route eastwards.

Beginning at the Castledonovan car park, you enjoy views of the west side of the castle as you take the quiet road for the hills.

Up ahead is the great stone of Glanaclohy and behind it the house of George the Sky. Farther on you will enjoy the wonder of Coomanore Lake and feast your eyes on the magnificent vista all around the West Cork coast and particularly Bantry Bay.

You can purchase the Drimoleague Heritage Walkways book at Centra, Drimoleague for more details of this walk.

Filed Under: Drimoleague Heritage Walkways, Walking

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The Sheep’s Head is a peninsula rich in history and you’ll find traces of its past all along the Sheep’s Head Way walking route.

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This project has been supported by Cork County Council & the LEADER programme under the Rural Development Programmes 2007-13 and 2017-2021.
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