Rathdrum - Jubilee Loop

My husband and I walked the Jubilee Loop today, we hiked the Cliffs of Moher as well as Torc Mountain in Killarney this week and were looking for a short, easy hike on the way back to Dublin from Avoca. This fit the bill perfectly, the woods were quiet and beautiful with fall leaves everywhere. The path was in good repair and I was very impressed with the work done to make and keep it so. Thank you to those involved! Highlights were the Famine Graveyard, and generally the gorgeous countryside. We also happened upon a gate marked St Michael’s Well and found a charming little spring in a residential section of the trail. The rector of the parish church told us that he thought a modern neighbor named Michael had marked and embellished it in recent times but we found it lovely regardless, as my husband is also Michael. The rector said his name was, as well! Thanks, Rathdrum, you are fortunate to live in such a magical place:)

Many thanks to the people of Rathdrum and Irish Trails for the work that has been done to get you around the place where the bank of the river has been washed away. Did this walk again a few weeks ago, wondering if we could do the loop but great work has been done to get you up from the bank for a few metres and back down to meet up with the track. Well done to all!

Walked this trail yesterday, starting at the Trailhead in Rathdrum church car park. Well signposted all along the route. HOWEVER be aware of the fact that the trail is impassable as the path which runs alongside the Avonmore River has been washed away. There would need to be a notice to this effect at the church car park, or at least before you cross the road and enter the second section of Ballygannon Woods. This would at least give you the option of walking the road back to your car, or retracing your steps through the woods and Famine graveyard.

This is an excellent looped, 90 minute, trail with plenty of scenic variety - woodland paths, riverside trails and historic locations of interest. The walking terrain is very good thought not suitable for buggies! Note that the trail begins at the Roman Catholic church with the first directional sign appearing at the back, right-hand side of the church. Overall, the sign-posting is very good along the trail though the sign exiting the rugby fields, just before returning to Rathdrum, may be obscured by the open gate! As noted in a previous review, the signage between the town bridge and the church was not that evident (I observed none).



This walk was well worth the trip down from south Dublin.

I walked this trail for the first time on Friday 28th October 2011. I parked at Ballygannon woods and headed down to the river. I initially headed north along the river until I reached the point opposite the vale of clara woods before retracing my steps to follow the Jubilee trail proper. The trail is well signposted (apart from a section in the village). Rathdrum itself is handy for any food items you might need and is an attractive town to wander around while trying to pick up the trail again. I then headed up through the famine graveyard and more woods. A lovely little walk - especially in the Autumn with all the leaves changing colour. Total time was 2 hours including my diversion along the river and the time wandering around Rathdrum.