Comeragh, Galtee, Knockmealdown and Slieve Bloom Mountains

by: John G. O'Dwyer
John G. O'Dwyer's comprehensive guide to the best walks in Tipperary and Waterford has now been updated and expanded to include Laois and Offaly. From the rugged Comeragh coums to the stately peaks of the Galtees, and from myth-laden Slievenamon to the sequestered glens of the popular Slieve Bloom Mountains, there are walks to suit all tastes in these uplands. The most captivating outings the region has to offer are shared here, along with all the necessary practical information such as maps, directions, the degree of difficulty and estimated duration.

But this is more than just a walking guide. Each route gets beneath the skin of this ancient landscape littered with historic artefacts. A booley on a hillside tells how the uplands contributed to human survival; a working farmstead demonstrates the continuation of this tradition; a ruined cottage confirms a battle lost. This guidebook will appeal to committed hillwalkers and casual ramblers alike, as well as containing much of interest to anyone who wishes to better understand the age-old interaction between humans and hills.

The walks are arranged according to geographical location and each area is described in an introduction. The 28 walk locations are as follows:

Slieve Blooms
Glenbarrow and the Ridge of Capard - 10 km
The Central Slieve Bloom - 15 km
Arderin - 1.5 km
The Eastern Slieve Bloom - 20 km
Giant's Grave and the Spink - 14 km

Slievefelim Hills
Eamonn a Chnoic Loop - 8 km
Keeper Hill (Slievekimalta) - 14 km
The Knockalough Loop - 10km

Comeraghs
The Nire Valley Coums - 15 km
The Mahon Falls and Coumtay - 6.5 km
Coumshingaun and Crotty's Lough - 12 km
The Circuit of Glenary - 11 or 13.5 km
Knockanaffrin Ridge - 11.5 km
Coum larthar - 8 km

Galtees
The Circuit of Glencushnabinna - 12.5 km
Lyracappul and Temple Hill - 12 km
Lough Muskry andGreenane - 12.5 km
Galtymore from the Black Road - 9 or 10 km

Knockmealdowns
Mount Melleray Abbey and Knockmealdown Ridge - 11.5 km
Bay Lough, the Sugarloaf and Knockmoylan - 7 or 11 km
The High Knockmealdowns - 20 km
Western Knockmealdowns from Crow Hill - 9 km

Arra Mountains and County Tipperary
The Millennium Cross and Tountinna - 16 km
Knockanroe and Silvermines Ridge - 7 km
Slievenamon and Killusty Cross - 13 km
Aherlow, Slievenamuck and the Jubilee 2000 Memorial - 13 km
The Grange Crag Loop - 6 km
Devilsbit Mountain - 5 or 9 km

ISBN 9781848893474 Pages 159 (2018) 128mm x 198mm