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.
PLEASE NOTE: There is currently a diversion in place along St Declan’s Way diverting walkers away from the Licky River. Update 19/10/23 - Please note, the footbridge over the Licky River has been washed away by the recent strom. Please follow the diversion signs provided.
Grade
Moderate
Length
115 km
Time
6 days
Format
Linear
Dogs Allowed
No
Waymarking
Blue arrow on white background
Start Point
Rock of Cashel Car Park
Finish Point
St Declan's Monastery in Ardmore
Nearest Town to Start
Cashel
Grid Ref.
S 075 409
/ X 188 774
Lat. and Long.
52.520649, -7.888972
/ 51.948658, -7.726512
Some of the property traversed by St Declan’s Way is private property. Access is available by kind permission of all the landowners/holders on the route. It is understood that persons entering do so by permission with consent of the landowner and no matter how often they enter, or in what numbers, they do not do so as a right. As further evidence of the permissive nature of the access, the route will be closed on the second Thursday in December of each year in agreement with the landowners/holders. Nothing in this notice shall impact or address any pre-existing public rights of way.
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
Discovery Series Sheets 66. 74. 81 and 82
Public Transportation
Bus services available at Cashel, Cahir, Ardfinnan, Lismore, Cappoquin, Ardmore
Train services available at Cahir
John Breheny from Ireland
Very well signposted, although one finger post sign near Lismore pointed in the wrong direction. Luckily a fellow walker was aware of this and saved us a long extra trek.
Some of the road walking was uncomfortable as we vied with busy traffic.
Some of the road walking was uncomfortable as we vied with busy traffic.
Francis Porter from Wexford
The actual walk was very good, but the signage from out of Cashel was very bad. Took us an hour to get out. One sign was actually pointed the wrong way, maybe someone had turned it. Also the taxi cabs I rang to arrange a lift back to Cashel didn’t answer.
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.
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
Goatenbridge to Liam Lynch memorial is safe and picturesque. The signage and marker seated areas need improvement.
Patrick Molony from Meath
The signage was overall excellent though my other 2 companions felt they were small. The major drawbacks for the trail were the lack of rest areas along the route and lack of signage directing one to Goatenbridge and Aglish neither of which are directly on the route but are very suitable for a rest area or to refuel. Also giving potential “pilgrims” an indication along the route as to distances covered or distances to travel to landmarks and highlighting these landmarks on roads so one can indicate to taxi services when one decides the walking is completed for the day will help to make the SDW more appealing to a wider group. The roads/tracks from Cashel to Goatenbridge are flat but the rest of the walk all stages are a mixture of up and down a number of inclines the Mount Melleray route being the most difficult but doable. Unfortunately at this stage I would not be recommending the route to anyone unless they were going to make it more piecemeal. The taxis we were fortunate to use were excellent as was the staff in the Lismore Heritage Centre.
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.
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.
Sara Devoy from Cork
stops enroute would of course be fabulous so walkers can plan to do a few days at a time. Plan to travel as light as possible especially Goatenbridge to Mellory!