BOOKS: New walking guide edition includes St Declan’s Way

Tipperary native John G. O’Dwyer has released a new edition of his popular 2022 book 50 Best Irish Walks.

This edition includes the newly reopened 59km St Declan’s Way, which takes walkers through Cashel, Cahir, Goatenbridge all the way out to Ardmore in Waterford.

John told the Tipperarylive that his book is the first guide to the walking route, and it may be of huge benefit to tourism.

He hopes St Declan’s Way will become the Caminio of Ireland.

“So that is the potential of pilgrams paths, and I would hope my book would contribute in some way that people will see it abroad and decide to come in.

“And if they do, it takes one week to complete St Declan’s Way.

“And that means people will spend in the area, and they are going to stay close to the path and spend close to it, so I think its a win win situation,” said John.

50 Best Irish Walks guides you through Ireland and all the wonderful natural and historical features you will find along the way.

John is a travel consultant based in Thurles and has almost 30 years experience leading hillwalking and mountain climbing groups.

He is the founder of the Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers Club and has been mapping the Irish landscape for more than 30 years.

John is a regular contributor to the Irish Times and is passionate aout showing people what Ireland has to offer. Hebelieves the best things can be found on foot.

Writing in promotion of the book,” John said:

“The most compelling reason is the bewildering richness and variety to be found in the outdoors. An astonishing variety of landscapes and eco-systems are ready to be explored, from woodland, to moorland, to peatland, to fenland, to lake strewn valleys.

“There is almost always something surprising and enthralling lying aroundevery corner.”

John told the Tipperarylive he wrote the book to help those who had found walking during the pandemic.

He said most of guides in shops focus on mountain and harder walks, but there was less for those who wanted ‘lower level’ routes.

So, he wrote 50 Best Irish Walks, which sold out in ten months. In the meantime St Declan’s Way had reopened, and the opportunity to include it arose.

In Tipperary, John has a couple of favourite walks.

“For a stroll and a chat, along the banks of the River Suir the blueway.

“But I also like places that have a lot of history. So you have the high mountains like the Galteemore.

“But an inbetween mountain that gives you a challenge but isn’t too much with lots of history is the Devil's Bit.

“So, I think that's my favourite ramble in Tipperary,” said John.

For those getting into walking for the first time John advises you to take it slow and enjoy it.

He said many people start out in the gym in January and give up in February.

But here is his advice.

"If you are going from couch potato to walking, the best thing to do is the easy walks at pace so you can talk to someone you are walking with and then gradually up it to the moderate walks.

“Then if you want to go up to the high mountains, its probably best to join a club, and there are loads of hill walking clubs around Tipperary,” said John.

50 Best Irish Walks, the second edition including St Declan’s Way is out now.