Offaly Way

Please Note: Due to access issues the trail is closed between the Cadamstown Trailhead and Soldiers Hill (Map 1). The remainder of the Offaly Way remains open and can be accessed from the designated trailheads in Kilcormac, Lough Boora Parklands, Turraun Wetlands & Lemanaghan.

Walking
County Offaly
2.5/5
2 reviews
Grade Moderate
Length 32.435 km
Time 2 days
Format Linear
Ascent Minimal m
Dogs Allowed No
Waymarking Yellow arrow on black background
Start Point
Cadamstown
Finish Point
Lemanaghan
Nearest Town to Start Kinnity
Grid Ref. N 228 085 / N 171 270
Lat. and Long. 53.12658, -7.65936 / 53.29304, -7.74353

The Offaly Way is a 29 kilometre linear walking route in the midlands of Ireland that links the Slieve Bloom Way at the old village of Cadamstown with the Grand Canal Way and ends a few kilometres north of the canal at the ancient monastic site of Lemanaghan. This short route takes in a rich collection of features that will ensure many walkers will want to linger along the way, including the scenic Silver River and an old bridge that Red Hugh O'Donnell's army is said to have crossed en route to the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, a rare Mesolithic site at Boora, and St Manchan's holy well and St Mella's Cell, a tiny early Christian church at Lemanaghan. The terrain consists of mainly quiet side roads and a couple of riverbank paths that are often wet and muddy in places. There is a shortage of overnight accommodation in the area, but Cadamstown is served by public transport. There are two or three loop walks in Boora Parkland including one which is wheelchair friendly. In this area there are a number of recreational projects and amenities, and experiments are being carried out on how to best use the landscape that has been stripped of its peat. For information follow external link to Shannon Region Trails

Trail Management

Tourism Office, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Tel: 0506-0506 Web: www.offaly.ie

Facilities

Car parking At Start - in riverside car park in Cadamstown At End - none

17 kms or 46% of the Way follows local roads. ***Dogs not permitted on any section which crosses private farmland.***

Map Guides

Map Guides

Map Guide for Slieve Bloom Way & Offaly Way - Laois Offaly Walking Partnership

OSI Maps

OSI Maps

Discovery Series Sheets 48 and 54
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

At Start: On Dublin - Birr CIE Bus Route, 4 times a day. At End: Possible one bus a day service Check with Bus Eireann.

2 trail reviews
2.5/5
Write your own review of this trail
3/5
08/15/2020

Sylvia from Offaly

Recently did this trail in one long day. It is excellently marked although a little overgrown in places. If you are after a quiet walk, then both end sections are perfect! Section through Boora is busier. Gives a good flavour of rural midlands. Very flat, naturally, so not strenuous in terms of gradient. Overall as a one day trek, it was quite challenging (in terms of distance) and very peaceful.
2/5
03/11/2016

Cyril from Westmeath

Walked this trail in three stages, Leamonaghan to Boora Bog, Boora Bog to Kilcormac and Kilcormac to Cadamstown. Most of the trail is on asphalt roads. My overall experience was disappointing. There were some highlights, the section along the Grand Canal, Turraun and Boora Bog were spectacular, and the last few km into Cadamstown along the Silver River was very picturesque. Apart from that it was apparent that this trail has been neglected over recent years, particularly the section from Kilcormac to Ballyboy.

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