Castlefreke - Rathbarry Old Churches Loop

Walking
County Cork
Grade Easy
Length 1 km
Am 40 minutes
Format Loop
Ascent 30 m
Dogs Allowed Yes
Waymarking Purple
Start Point
Castle Cross Carpark
Finish Point
Castle Cross Carpark
Nearest Town to Start Rathbarry
Grid Ref. W 324 359
Lat. and Long. 51.57174, -8.97535

This walk leads you through woodland tracks to the ruined Rathbarry churches, where you will first encounter the nineteenth-century Church of Ireland, built in a more ornate style than many of the churches of its time, due to a substantial contribution from Lord Carbery. Close by is a much older church, with thirteenth-century features, now in a state of deterioration. The graveyard and older church contain graves and tombs mainly of nineteenth- and twentieth-century dates, with the earliest that of Sir Ralph Freke, who died in 1717. On your way back to the carpark look out on your left for the circular ringfort or ‘ráth’, visible through the reeds alongside the trail.

Maps and other information

Trail Management

Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks: castlefrekeourwoodsourwalks@gmail.com

Facilities

Car parking

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheet 89

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