East Munster Way
The East Munster Way is a 70km linear walking route of considerable variety, from riverside paths to woodland and from open mountain moorland to quiet country roads and it is part of the European E8 route. It starts in the town of Carrick-on-Suir, at the south east extremity of County Tipperary, and follows the River Suir upstream. The Suir, held by some to be the second-longest river in Ireland, is majestic and slow-moving at this point, overlooked by old castles and churches, and home to otters and herons. At the pretty village of Kilsheelan, the route crosses into County Waterford and ascends into the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains. It soon descends again to follow the Suir into the vibrant county town of Clonmel, which has a lot to offer those who linger. Leaving Clonmel the Way crosses a western outlier of the Comeraghs to reach the northern flanks of the Knockmealdown Mountains where it meanders westwards with spectacular views before descending to reach the town of Clogheen. Terrain consists mainly of forestry tracks, riverside tow paths and quiet tarmac roads: some off-road paths may be a little overgrown. Total aggregate ascent over the route is less than 1700m, but there are some short, steep climbs.
External Links
Trail Management
South East Tourism, 41 The Quay, Waterford. Tel: 051-875823 Web: www.southeastireland.com
Facilities
Car parking
At Start - on street in Carrick-on-Suir and limited near start/end of Way
At End - on street in Carrick-on-Suir and limited near start/end of Way
** PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE TRAIL FURNITURE ISSUES ON THIS WALK **
27 kms or 36% of the Way follows local roads. Waymarking issues.
Map Guides
East Munster Way Map Guide - EastWest Mapping - Out of Print
OSI Maps
Public Transportation
At Start: Expressway bus from Cork, Dublin, Galway, Waterford. Limited local bus (not on Sunday). Check with Bus Eireann.
Rail Check with Iarnrod Eireann.
At End: Some Expressway buses to Clonmel, Cork and Dublin and very limited local bus (not daily). Check with Bus Eireann.
Paul from Waterford
The badly marked and therefore confusing loop around Russellstown Wood should be reviewed and possibly deleted.
The path could easily be diverted to take in Ballymacarbry and some recent signposted trails as a bridge between the Comeraghs and the well marked section along the Knockmealdowns.
None of these changes would require new access permissions, and would update the route in a way that makes it more accessible, more connected and easier to follow. It would also encourage those who are actively engaged in promoting walking in the areas along the route to assist in the maintenance and promotion of it.
Aina from Austria
Lack of accommodation along the way
Orlaith from Galway
Stayed in the gorgeous Glasha b&b on Saturday night. With some dread we approached the Sunday route from Fourmilewater to Clogheen. In stark contrast this section was really well-marked. Loved it - nice mix of scenery and terrain. From lush farmland to forest and lovely mountain views. The Liam Lynch monument is interesting. Highly recommend this stage. A credit to all involved.
Mark from United Kingdom
Day 1: I From Carrick-on-Suir (picking up where I'd finished the South Leinster Way in 2017) to Clonmel - was just fab! I loved walking alongside the delightful Suir for several miles to Kilsheelan; lots of interesting wildlife and sights..
The riverside path is really good quality now, it's all been surfaced - speaking to locals I gather there has been heavy flooding of the path however I saw none of this in the middle of summer of course.
At Kilsheelan, you leave the river and enjoy some forest trails, before returning to the Suir for c3km/s into Clonmel.
4 stars for this stage.
Day 2: Clonmel to Clogheen - my highlight of the day has to be when I left the path above Clonmel, to visit the site of the Holy Cross / Stations of the Cross, a wonderful spot for a prayer and the view down to Clonmel and beyond was superb!
I was disappointed in the quality of the way-marking for some of this day / stage though - it felt like a neglected trail - I lost some time and covered unnecessary distance.
MY TIP IS:- ignore any signs put up by landowners and press on ahead, climbing over that gate! - i.e. either the way the post is suggesting you should go (if one is nearby) or what your own map/guidance tells you to do!
To save time, I reached Clogheen by sticking completely to the road from Newcastle rather than going off road as per route - which would have been much more interesting but needed more time than I could afford!
I only saw two other walkers all day - and they were just heading to the Holy Cross and back, from Clonmel - the paths remote in places, so you need to be well prepared and have your own maps / navigation tools to ensure safe passage..
3 stars for this stage
Els from Belgium
After Clonmel, going uphill, many signs are missing – our walking gps luckily helped us out - and we had to climb over a farmers’ fence to be able to continue the Munster Way. An Ulster Way sign proved we had the right to climb over, saying we were on the right track. How come?
Further on in the Carey park, again poor waymarking! There were crucial signs missing on turns that you needed to take! Our walking gps helped us out again.
The East Munster Way is a very beautiful path, apart from the awful tarmac on the tow path, but it‘s a pity the signs are not well maintained…
John Barry from Waterford
It's disappointing to see sections of tarmac being put down. It really takes away from the natural beauty of the river bank. The artificial surface is also not as resilient against the recent flooding of the river. Some of the tarmac has been seriously damaged / warped by the flooding where the grass sections have escaped with no obvious long term damage.
Our route was blocked in Clonmal with the flood defences, Clonmal should provide signage to show an alternative route to avoid the necessary obstructions.
Jenny from Waterford