Final stages of St Declan's Way pilgrim walk was walked by over 300 people

Three hundred hikers walked on the two final stages of this year’s St Declan’s Way Pilgrims walk over two days from Goatenbridge to Lismore on Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12

Both stages were originally scheduled to take place in April but were postponed due to Storm Kathleen sweeping through the country that weekend.

Organised by Knockmealdown Active, the event is proving increasingly popular each year. On May 11, the walkers gathered in Mount Melleray before travelling by bus to Goatenbridge from where they began their 22km walk back to the abbey.

Passing the Liam Lynch monument, they walked along mountain paths through the Knockmealdowns in glorious sunshine, admiring the views of Tipperary and Waterford. After many kilometres with some short hilly climbs, they reached the forestry of Mount Melleray from where they descended through woodland to Mount Melleray Abbey.

Relaxing with sandwiches and cakes prepared by the monks, the walking group were delighted with their achievement with many having travelled from all over Ireland for the event.

The following day the group met in Lismore and travelled by bus to Mount Melleray where Fr Denis Luke O’Hanlon gave them a pilgrim blessing before heading off. They walked along the newly restored Mount Melleray Mass path around Crowhill, listening as the guides explained the legacy of Ned O’Donnell, Mamie Bray and the Queen of Crowhill.

After lunch at the Melleray Grotto, the group walked onwards to Lismore in wonderful warm sunshine, admiring the beauty of Lismore Castle before climbing uphill towards their finishing point in the primary school after 20km of walking.

Knockmealdown Active thanks all those who made the event happen - the landowners, the community groups and committed individuals, Tús and RSS scheme workers, Tipperary County Council, Waterford City & County Council, the Rural Recreation officers and all who have personally taken time out to help.

“It is hugely appreciated and you are doing an enormous amount to promote outdoor recreation in West Waterford and South Tipperary. Roll on the annual pilgrimage in 2025,” said St Declan’s Way Steering Committee Chairperson Grainne Moynihan.

St Declan’s Way also featured in an RTE Tracks & Trails episode on Friday, May 10 with retired RTE News Northern Editor Tommie Gorman walking the trail from Cahir to Goatenbridge.

If you missed it, you can catch up on the episode on the Tracks & Trails YouTube channel.