Rathgormack

Rathgormack lies at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains, with numerous scenic walking trails in the surrounding area. Rathgormack Hostel offers accommodation for 20 people. Check availability directly before your trip. When choosing where to stay, you can take both walks and local history into account.

Walking around Rathgormack

Rathgormack Walks is a series of marked walks in the north of County Waterford, comprising road, woodland and mountain walks. In addition, the local community has developed circular routes on roads around the village. When planning, you can therefore distinguish the local loops from the marked series, which includes different types of trails. Nearby is the Rathgormack Boolas Loop. Access requires permission from the landowners; the route is closed for one day every year on the third Thursday in December. Take both conditions into account when including this loop in your plans.

Local history and trails in the area

Rathgormack’s local history includes Cloch na gCeann, a stone near the barracks in Rathgormack associated with beheadings during the Penal Times. There is also the legend of William Crotty, which links Rathgormack to Crotty’s Rock in the Comeragh Mountains. The two references tell different kinds of local history: a tradition rooted in the village and a legend set in the mountain landscape.

Walks also lead to notable natural and historical landmarks. An Rathbeag passes close to Carrigsheegowna, a prominent sandstone knoll; Carrigsheegowna featured prominently in the 1975 film Barry Lyndon. Nearby, the Glenpatrick Bridge Walk follows part of the old military road from Clonmel to Kilmeaden. This road was built after the 1798 Rebellion. The two dates mark different contexts: 1975 for the film connection and 1798 for the rebellion after which the military road was built.

Waterford in a wider context

The wider Waterford destination offers further trails and landscapes to explore. The Waterford Greenway is a 46 km, traffic-free walking and cycling route from Waterford City to Dungarvan, following the former Great Southern and Western Railway line. It crosses eleven bridges and three viaducts and passes through a 400 m tunnel. Unlike the circular walks around Rathgormack, the Greenway connects two named towns.

The Anne Valley Walk connects Dunhill with the coastal village of Annestown and passes through wetlands and woodland. The Anne Valley Walk is fully accessible to buggies and wheelchairs; visitors can spot herons, kingfishers and otters there. The Copper Coast Drive runs from Tramore to Dungarvan. The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark stretches for 25 km along the County Waterford coast, from Fenor to Stradbally. This coastal route offers a different focus from Rathgormack’s walking trails at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains.

Discover more destinations: Harrylock, Aird Mhór, Dunmore East, Bunmahon, Lismore, Waterford, Dungarvan, Ringville.

Back to the main travel overview: Waterford.