Daytrip Archives – The Wandering Irishman

September 25, 2020September 25, 2020

Coumshingaun Lough

I had an Irish speaking friend years ago who laughed at my pronunciation of Coumshingaun Lough. He was right of course because I butchered it. Thankfully he told me how to pronounce it and I have since forgotten that information, like most good information it leaves my head. After a quick look on the trusty Internet, I have found how to pronounce it, at least by the locals which is good enough for me (Academics argue over the pronunciation). I refer to this article where it says the pronunciation is Com Shin-aun so basically drop the g.

Coumshingaun Lough is a beautiful walk which can cater for a range of different abilities. Here are the main routes

Coumshingaun Loop Walk

Length: 7.2 Km
elevation gain 627 m
Level: Strenuous
Time: 3 to 4 hours

Map of Coumshingaun — Map of the Coum Loop

Lake Walk

Length: 3.6 Km (Up and Back)
Elevation gain: 180m
Level: Moderate
Time: 2 hours

Coumshingaun Lough Walk

Both walks start at Kilclooney Woods or there is another car park just down the road. It can get very busy on the weekends so get up early to secure a parking place. Please park responsibly, walkers get a bad reputation for parking inconsiderately.

Kilclooney is mainly a coniferous woodland of Sitka spruce, native Scots pine, Norway spruce, European larch and Western hemlock with small pockets of broadleaves dispersed throughout. Foxes, badgers and fallow deer are regularly spotted, although elusive. The agile red squirrel may be seen from time to time foraging or darting up the trunks of trees and running along the branches in the canopy above. Try and spot the disguised radio tower on the left when you are walking up the forest trail. They have done a great job to make the tower look like a tree and it works pretty well.

The trail is pretty obvious from the car park just follow uphill and you will eventually get to the start of the mountain trail. This is a well-used path so its hard to miss. Keep following up and you will start to get some great views looking South and East of the patchwork of fields in Waterford. you can see the Saltee Islands on a clear day.

The Big Ridge

You can see the big ridge line now that will take you up and around the lake. It is an impressive ridge and is a pleasure to walk. It has a mix of rocky ground with some minor scrambling and some boggy sections too. If you decide to take the loop route it gains a lot of height quickly so breaks will be needed. You will be treated to views of one of Ireland’s best Corries, it is impressive and the scale of it is mighty. It is recommended to walk the loop in a clockwise direction because there is a few sections of scrambling climbing which is safer to climb up than climb down but the route can be done both ways.

Coumshingaun Lough — The Southern ridge line, the most popular route up.

Shorter Walk up to the Lake

If you opt for the shorter walk up to the lake you will not be disappointed. It is a fantastic walk with views Inside the corrie just as impressive as on top. This is a great walk if you have kids and don’t want to commit to the Bigger loop walk. The lake is packed full of brown trout and you can see fish jumping here regularly. Coumshingaun lake is 54 Metres Deep at its deepest point and can be as low as 6 degrees, So if your going in for a dip be mindful of that.

There used to be a hermit living in the Lake up till 1959 by the name of Jim Fitzgerald. Known as ‘Lackendara’. He Lived halfway up the Comeragh Mountains for over forty years. His home was a cave of sorts, with a roof comprised of bits of driftwood, stones and soil, and an entrance concealed by strips of hanging grain bags. A veteran of WW1, where he was said to have suffered shell-shock. He spent the remainder of his life in isolation in this rugged and unforgiving terrain in the foothills of the Comeraghs.

I am fascinated with this story. It would have taken a strong-willed human to live up in the mountains like this. If you would like to see the rock where he lived just click here. If you would like more information on this story there was a video made of him a couple of years back. I will link it here it’s worth a watch.

Crotty’s Rock

Crotty’s Rock is well worth a visit and is only a short walk away from the top of the loop walk. It can get very wet so be prepared for that. William Crotty was a highwayman who had a reputation for stealing from the rich and giving to the local people. He was betrayed by his long time friend and captured, he was hanged and quartered. His legend still lives on today and Crotty’s rock is a popular spot for walkers and climbers.

Final Thoughts

The Coumshingaun Lough is well worth a look for a Beginner or experienced walker. A lovely mix of terrain and the views are spectacular. There is plenty of history associated with this part of Waterford and is worth some further research if that’s your thing.

If you’re taking to the hills please remember to take some extra layers and food with you. The weather changes very quickly in the mountains and things can go wrong quickly. If you need more information on what to wear and bring with you to have a look at this.

if you would like to see any of my other posts please click Here

Directions to Kilclooney Woods

Youtube video of Coumshigaun

Video of Coumshingaun

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020

Bannow Island

Bannow Island is a beach in the south-west coast of County Wexford in Ireland, its a place that is very close to my heart as I grew up here and Its where I learned to explore.

A lot of my time as a child was spent looking in rock pools along the beach and walking in the fields trying to dodge the cattle and occasional Bull ( you haven’t lived until a herd of cows chases you).

Bannow has a rich history and the Norman conquest of Ireland began in Bannow Bay in 1169 when three ships commanded by Robert Fitz-Stephen arrived at the behest of Diarmait MacMurrough to support his claim to the Kingdom of Leinster. Another group of Normans under Raymond le Gros landed the following year on the far side of Bannow Bay, on the Hook Peninsula at Baginbun. There was a small promontory fort there, easy for the Normans to defend and thereby ensure a safe landing.

At Bannow Island, the ruins can still be seen of the 13th-century Norman Romanesque parish church of St Mary, originally impropriated to the monks of Canterbury. It consists of a nave and chancel. Another famous Norman soldier and an officer who landed in the first invasion was Meiler Fitzhenry, whose son adopted his father’s name, and thus began the Meyler family of County Wexford, who later were prominent in the Wexford Rebellion of 1798.

Bannow Island is a beautiful beach that is heavily affected by the tide. at low tide, the beach is much bigger and a is a lovely walk and you can walk around the corner and look at the mouth of the bay which leads up to Wellingtonbridge and Tintern Abbey. Check tide times for Fethard-On-Sea, Bannow is best enjoyed when the Tide is out and be very careful the tide can come in very quick here.

There are rock pools to be enjoyed at the right side of the beach as you walk onto it, loads of little creatures to be found.

If you’re looking for another beach close by you can check out Cullenstown, It’s only a few minutes down the road and well worth a visit.

Bannow Island is well worth a visit if you’re looking for somewhere to go for a few hours, it’s not very big but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Bring a book and a chair and sit back and let the world go by.

Here is a video of Bannow I made:

Directions:

March 16, 2020March 19, 2020

Edenvale, a Hidden Gem

My sister first introduced me to Edenvale in Wexford when I was a teenager and I’m so glad she did. Edenvale is a special place with a secret garden feel to it. Don’t be fooled by the underwhelming entrance, it disguises A stunning trail filled with rivers, waterfalls, flora and fauna. One of the best trails in the Sunny South East.

There is a small car park at the entrance with a gate that is used regularly for access so be mindful not to block the entrance. Most of the walk is on a dirt track, it can be muddy at times so wellies or sturdy footwear is advised.

The walk leads down to the River Sow but if you want a slight detour you can follow the trail on your left which leads into a clearing. You can find an interesting carving in a tree in the middle of the clearing.

Edenvale is a place for exploration, if you keep your eyes open you will find some interesting shapes, colours and plants. This is a place to stroll through, take your time and remember to look left, right and most importantly overhead.

Edenvale is not a long walk, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. A lot of fun can be had here if you allow your inner child to come out and play. If you leave your busy lifestyle at the gate you will not be disappointed.

The trail leads on until you have to turn right and head downhill until you meet the main track, here you will see the first of Edenvales Waterfalls.

A strange beauty surrounds this place, There is an ancient feel to it, perhaps resembling what Ireland would have looked like long ago.

Ireland is a wild place and winter can bring powerful storms, a casualty of these powerful storms is a large tree after falling across the river which has made a stunning natural bridge. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to cross it.

When you continue the trail, once you have finished playing on the bridge you come to a small pumping station. Wexford County Council has owned this since and 1930’s and the river Sow which flows here provides water for many houses in Wexford.

If you follow past the pumping station you will find yourself on a walkway and you can start to hear the main attraction of Edenvale. A lot of water passes over these falls and you can really feel it. The noise is loud and imposing but stunning all the same.

As you go further up the river you will come to the rest of the falls, I could sit and stare at each of them for a long time.

As you go further up you will see an Old Mill on the opposite side of the river, it’s starting to become part of the forest but still standing tall. You can cross over the bridge and take a closer look at the old mill but be careful as its unsafe.

From here you turn around and go back the way you came and take in the waterfalls for a second time. You can continue and do a loop walk that takes in Randalls Mill.

This walk is short but has a lot of character. It is perfect for families who have small kids and want a manageable walk for the little ones. If you bring wellies you can play around in the streams and rivers. There is plenty of flora and fauna to see so you could bring along a good field guide to spot some of it. I love the Collins Complete Guide to Irish Wildlife its a really comprehensive guide and a must for anybody trying to learn more about nature in Ireland.

How to get here

Edenvale is located 1.5km from Castlebridge. if you head North on the R741 towards Crossabeg it is located on your right-hand side about 3 minutes from Castlebridge.