Brickey River & Kilnafarna
Hill
Distance 7.5 miles/12
km
Time: 3 hours
This is the longest
trail in this site. The first section is on a grassy but solid road
along the banks of the Brickey River and ends at the ruins of Knockmaun
Castle. This Castle was owned by Sir Richard Osbourne in the 15th Century.
It was totally destroyed by Cromwell in 1650 before he entered Dungarvan.
The River derives its name from the O'Brics who were chieftains to the
Deise, the Deise being a tribe who made settlements here around 300BC.
The riverbank has an excellent vegetation of Alder, Willow, Sally etc.
Interesting bird life includes Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Long-tailed
Tit and occasionally Green Sandpiper. The river was dredged as far as
the Castle in the 19th Century as part of a proposed canal which was
to connect with the Blackwater, but the project was never finished.
The second section ascends from the Brickey valley at a 100ft/30m to
Kilnafarna hill at 868ft/264m.
Location
The
trail begins about 2 miles/3.2km from Dungarvan on the Dungarvan to
Clashmore road. After crossing the bridge (appropriately called Twomile
Bridge) take the road going right to begin the walk.
Directions
After about 400 yards/366m
the tarred road veers right and the trail continues straight on the
grassy road for about 2 miles/3.2 km. About halfway the trail passes
West Waterford Golf Club which can be seen on the opposite bank of the
river. Approaching the end of the stretch the ruins of the Castle appear
ahead perched precariously on a sharp limestone knoll. The trail takes
the left at the "T" junction and heads east in front of the
Castle. Just beyond the Castle ruins at the opposite side of the road
are the ruins of Knockmaun Church. Turning right immediately after the
Castle the trail continues south ascending out of the valley. Thus it
follows a narrow quiet road which has a steep gradient and veers left
of Knockaunabouchala Hill with its TV mast. It continues around Kilnafarna
Hill whose mast can be reached via the spur road to give an excellent
360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. After two left turns
the trail returns back down the valley on the road as shown. A right
taken at the "T" junction returns the walker to the start.
Options
This long trail can
be divided into 2 shorter walks:
1. the first section
as far as the Castle and return by the road to the south.
2. the second section
which ascends to the top of Kilnafarna and back.
Walk
1 | Walk 2 | Walk
3 | Walk 4
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info@waterfordcottages.com
Telephone:
+353 - (0) 58-41321
Coole
Country Cottages © 2001