Lough Derg Way

Steve,



Thank you for your review of the Lough Derg Way. Maintenance work took place on the walk during the summer but there has obviously been a huge burst of growth in the areas you have highlighted. These areas will be addressed immediately by our team to ensure the linear walk is maintained to the highest standards and contiunes to be an enjoyable experience for walkers who can take in the magnificent views of Lough Derg along the route. We hope you will revisit again in the future.

Áine Mc Carthy

Tourism Officer - Tipperary County Council.

This trail needs a lot of work in places or should be taken down from the website list.



Even though it's not easy to get linked to these trail details from the home page for some reason I'd read the complimentary comments on the Lough Derg Way from Trish and was looking forward to a rewarding 3 day hike in good weather.

Trish's review, below, is accurate for the first days section to Killaloe although the path works from the uni should be over soon.

Leaving the waters behind as you enter Tipperary there's a long climb to the top of the Arra Mountains on a delightful track with fantastic views over the whole route before descending steeply to farmland and minor roads that lead you back to the lake at Castletown bathing beach.

From there the trail is pleasant and pastoral but tarmac to Garykennedy and a couple of km beyond.

If it's wet at all you'd best take your gaiters for the cross country section next up and once you get past Youghal into The Callows your'll need a slasher or machete to force your way through the overgrown brambles, thistles and nettles till you hit a road again after a long couple of km.

This unmaintained section put me off risking any of the later lake side route around Ryan's Point. A great pity as I have a feeling that could have been a highlight.

Instead I took to the back roads, rejoining the Way a km from the finish.

I'm not sure what we have to do to ensure that trails listed on the website are maintained in a usable condition but a drive to recruit local volunteers may help.

One thing is certain, leading foreign walkers miles from anywhere into an impenetrable obstacle course will not enhance Ireland's reputation as a green destination for hiking.

The full story of my 3 day trek can be read on stevebarhamramblingman.wordpress.com

Walked from Limerick to Killaloe on a sunny afternoon. The most confusing part of the trail is in Limerick. Do not go over the Guinness Bridge (white metal bridge). If you do you are hiking the Shannon Fields Trail. Go right. Currently this section is under construction so you will either need to slog through a very muddy construction site or start your hike at Limerick University. At the university you need to go over the University of Limerick’s road bridge, go downstream for a short ways and then pick up the trail again. This is because the original trail bridge (Plassey Bridge) is closed. You then hike along a pleasant wooded trail. When it ends turn left on the road and take the first road on the right. There are no signs for this series of turns. Your first sign is approx a mile down this road. After this the signs are good and easy to follow. Your hike into Killaloe is along a large canal used by the power station down river, country roads, and historic smaller canals. If you were pressed for time you could continue to hike down the canal at Clonlara because you end up again on it after O'Briensbridge. You would miss a lovely forested trail if you took this shortcut. Not many facilities along the way so pack enough food and water for the duration. There is a small shop in Clonlara where you could get a snack and water and Bonners pub and grocery was the only pubic facility open in O'Briensbridge If you need supplies make sure you get them there as there are no other public facilities along the trail.

Walked from Limerick City to Killaloe on a warm sunny day. The walk is an absolute gem with interesting and changing surroundings all the way. The one constant is being adjacent to water, starting with the Guiness canal, River Shannon, Errina Canal, Ardnacrusha Headrace and River Shannon again. For obvious reasons the pathway is level and in good condition, except for the last 6k, which is on a quiet country road and rises gently.

We took seven hours, with stops at Clonlara and O'Briens Bridge for refreshments.

Could not recommend the walk highly enough. If you are interested in engineering history, the two canals will keep your interest all the way.

Could be broken up into two sections. Clonlara is 2.5 hours from Limerick.