St Declan's Way
The majority (85%) of this trail is graded Moderate, however the section over the Knockmealdown Mountains (the remaining 15% of the total route) is graded Strenuous.
Saint Declan's Way is a 115km pilgrim walking route linking Cashel in County Tipperary with Ardmore in County Waterford. It follows the route that Declan took when going to Cashel to meet Saint Patrick in the fifth century. In turn, it is the way that Pilgrims have taken to visit St. Declan's monastery, holy-well and grave in Ardmore for the past one and a half thousand years.
A walk along Saint Declan's Way brings you through the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. On your journey you will encounter many historic places. The trail starts at the Rock of Cashel and passes Cahir Castle and Lismore Castle. It finishes at the early Christian monastic site at Ardmore with its stunning round tower. There are over fifty other heritage sites along or close to the trail route.
St Declan's Way utilizes paths along two of Munster's greatest rivers, the Suir and the Blackwater. The trek over the Knockmealdown Mountains, taking in Mount Melleray Abbey, offers great vistas north and south and is one of the highlights of the trail.
Maps and other information
Trail Management
Tipperary Section: South Tipperary Development CLG. Tel: 052 7442652 Email: info@stdc.
Waterford Section: Waterford LEADER Partnership. Tel: 058 54646 Email: info@wlp.ie
Facilities
In Cashel: Car parking, shops, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs, accommodation
At Cashel Trailhead: Car parking
In Ardmore: Car parking, shops, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs, accommodation
At Ardmore Trailhead: Car parking

OSI Maps

Public Transportation
Bus services available at Cashel, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Lismore, Cappoquin, Ardmore
Train services available at Cahir
Francis Porter from Wexford
NOTE FROM ST DECLAN'S WAY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Thank you for your review Francis and for flagging the issues you had the with signage in Cashel. One of our fingerpost signs in Cashel has been damaged and we are working to resolve this.
Seamus Fox from Cork
Patrick Molony from Meath
NOTE FROM ST DECLAN'S WAY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Hello Patrick, thank you for your review. We are always happy to get feedback from walkers, especially as the trail is only approved since July 2021. We are already working to address some of the issues you raise, especially signage to direct people to Goatenbridge and Aglish. Provision of rest areas is another priority. We have a new map brochure almost ready that will provide information for walkers. We hope all of these things will make St Declan's Way more enjoyable for walkers.
John Breheny from Ireland
Some of the road walking was uncomfortable as we vied with busy traffic.