Sponsored by
Taking the alternative route
A series of walking routes around the county have been mapped out by Trail Kilkenny. Mary Cody talks to Rural Recreation Officer, Eoin Hogan, about the trails and his plans for a cycling and craft trail that will be launched over the coming months.
THERE are few things more enjoyable in life than going on a long walk in the country. Better still if the route avoids busy roads and passes by historical gems and spectacular vistas. However, apart from the well-known and mainly woodland walks, it can be difficult to discover the off the beaten track jewels that provide perfect fodder for the hungry walker.
Thankfully Trail Kilkenny have done just this and through engaging with landowners and negotiating payment for allowing walkers through there land there are now six recognised walking routes all of which have been meticulously mapped and planned to ensure that no one gets lost along the way. Furthermore the finishing touches are also being made to a cycle and craft trail for Kilkenny.
There are a number of walks developed by Trail Kilkenny including The Islands Walk, Urlingford; Kilmacoliver Walk, Callan Abbey Meadow Walk, Castlemorris Wood Walk. Sliabh Greine Loop, Froachans Loop and Mountain Grove Loop.
Kilmacoliver Walk
This loop walk starts and finishes at the carpark at the Watering Place, wildlife lakes fed by freshwater springs a kilometre from the village of Tullahought on the Kilkenny/ Tipperary border.
The walk winds slowly up Kilmacoliver Hill. At the summit there is a circular enclosure of standing stones believed to be a megalithic tomb dating back 5,000 years and commonly known as the Burial Ground. The views from the summit are truly spectacular and on a fine day you will see the counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow.
Leaving the Burial Ground one can see the old mining village of Ahenny. The graveyards that border the village feature Celtic High Crosses dating back from the 7th century. Tradition has it that these crosses and others found in Ahenny, Windgap and Piltown are memorials of 'The Seven Bishops' murdered at Ath na gCeann in Lismatigue.
Castlemorris Wood Walk
Two looped walks that start and finish at the Grand Gates that lies west of the villages of Newmarket and Hugginstown and east of the village of Kilmaganny. The walk passes through the old Castlemorris estate. The estate was built in 1751 and was one of the largest stately homes in the country. Formerly home to the Morres and De Monthmorency families, the family vault can still be seen in the local church yard. Unfortunately the house was sold to the Land Commission in 1924 and was demolished in 1978. The grounds now merge with Coillte woods totalling some 200 acres.
Trail Kilkenny cycle routes
Three cycle trails are also being developed by Trail Kilkenny. The North Kilkenny Cycle Route stretches some 83km and the trail begins in Ballycannan. The route, which is mainly along quiet country roads starts at Ballycallan and passe through Tullaroan, Freshford, Ballyragget, Castlecomer and finishes at Ballycallan.
The signs are up along the route but the mapboards and route guide have not yet been completed.
The East Kilkenny Cycle Route (65km approx) begins at Bennettsbridge and takes in Graignamanagh, The Rower, Inistioge, Thomastown before ending back at Bennettsbridge. The signs are up along both routes but the mapboards and route guides have not yet been completed.
The third cycle route which is the longest and is 110 kilometres is the South Kilkenny Cycle Route. The planned route starts at Thomastown and passes through Inistioge, New Ross, Kilmacow, Piltown, Knocktopher and ends in Thomastown. This route is still in the planning phase.
The Islands Walk, Urlingford
This 6.5 kilometre walk follows roads, laneways and forest tracks and starts in the town of Urlingford. It passes by the Mill Cemetery and the ruins of a 15th century church and castle built by the MacGiolla Phadriag who were celtic chieftains of the time. The track leads into a large forest which has a profusion of wild flowers and this time of year including ragroot, trefoil and floxglove.
Trail Kilkenny is supported by BNS Rural Development under the LEADER programme, Kilkenny County Council, Filte Ireland and the Rural Social Scheme.
Trail Kilkenny is currently developing the Nore Valley Walk and is in the process of setting up a Craft Trail with the Made in Kilkenny craft members. For more on Made in Kilkenny and the Craft Trail see next week's People Living.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Kilkenny
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
