Great Roads/The Comeragh Mountain Road:
In this week's Great Roads, Bob Montgomery heads south for the Comeraghs
This is a relatively short but interesting road, which once again emphasises how quickly the Irish landscape can contain huge variation within a short distance. The Comeragh Mountain range, and more specifically Knockaunapeebra, is the object of our attention and although filled with interest there are almost no roads or trails which penetrate into them.
The one road that does offer access is best approached along the R676 from Carrick-on-Suir. Heading southwest along this road, the bulk of the Comeragh Mountains dominate the landscape to the west, rising to an impressive 792m at Knockaunapeebra. At Mahon Bridge, where the road crosses the Mahon river turn west along the road marked with a brown sign reading Comeragh Mountain Drive, almost immediately turn northwest at Raleigh's crossroad which presumably is so-named because of a connection with the Munster plantation of Sir Walter Raleigh who made his base in Ireland at nearby Lismore. The Mahon flows from the heart of Knockaunapeebra and runs alongside our road for much of its journey down to Mahon Bridge.
After about two kilometres turn right where there is a signpost for Mahon Falls. The road now starts to rise steeply along the foothills of Knockaunapeebra, quickly becoming an exposed and windswept barren mountainscape. Already, within a short distance, and owing to the flat landscape to the south, there is a fine view as far as the coastline and beyond at Dungarvan.
The road itself is well-surfaced and relatively wide, and should present no problems. There are a number of lay-bys where one can pull over and from where the views are impressive. Close to the point where the road swings south is a large car park and a footpath is signposted to the Mahon Falls - a spectacular mountain waterfall complex, a little over a kilometre's walking distance.
Just after this car park the road continues up a relatively short, steep uphill section and from the top of this part of the road there are the most spectacular views to the east and south. On the descent the landscape is still mountainous but considerably more gentle, and from here it's a straightforward drive back to where we rejoin the R676 at Lemybrien and where it in turn joins the N25 from Dungarvan to Waterford.
Again we noted signs warning visitors about theft from parked cars, so if you do decide to walk to the Mahon Falls, take care that any valuables are secured out of sight. Although relatively short, this is an interesting road which climbs surprisingly high, given the flat nature of the surrounding countryside. What a pity it is the only road to give access to the wonderful Comeragh Mountains.
© 2007 The Irish Times
In this week's Great Roads, Bob Montgomery heads south for the Comeraghs
This is a relatively short but interesting road, which once again emphasises how quickly the Irish landscape can contain huge variation within a short distance. The Comeragh Mountain range, and more specifically Knockaunapeebra, is the object of our attention and although filled with interest there are almost no roads or trails which penetrate into them.
The one road that does offer access is best approached along the R676 from Carrick-on-Suir. Heading southwest along this road, the bulk of the Comeragh Mountains dominate the landscape to the west, rising to an impressive 792m at Knockaunapeebra. At Mahon Bridge, where the road crosses the Mahon river turn west along the road marked with a brown sign reading Comeragh Mountain Drive, almost immediately turn northwest at Raleigh's crossroad which presumably is so-named because of a connection with the Munster plantation of Sir Walter Raleigh who made his base in Ireland at nearby Lismore. The Mahon flows from the heart of Knockaunapeebra and runs alongside our road for much of its journey down to Mahon Bridge.
After about two kilometres turn right where there is a signpost for Mahon Falls. The road now starts to rise steeply along the foothills of Knockaunapeebra, quickly becoming an exposed and windswept barren mountainscape. Already, within a short distance, and owing to the flat landscape to the south, there is a fine view as far as the coastline and beyond at Dungarvan.
The road itself is well-surfaced and relatively wide, and should present no problems. There are a number of lay-bys where one can pull over and from where the views are impressive. Close to the point where the road swings south is a large car park and a footpath is signposted to the Mahon Falls - a spectacular mountain waterfall complex, a little over a kilometre's walking distance.
Just after this car park the road continues up a relatively short, steep uphill section and from the top of this part of the road there are the most spectacular views to the east and south. On the descent the landscape is still mountainous but considerably more gentle, and from here it's a straightforward drive back to where we rejoin the R676 at Lemybrien and where it in turn joins the N25 from Dungarvan to Waterford.
Again we noted signs warning visitors about theft from parked cars, so if you do decide to walk to the Mahon Falls, take care that any valuables are secured out of sight. Although relatively short, this is an interesting road which climbs surprisingly high, given the flat nature of the surrounding countryside. What a pity it is the only road to give access to the wonderful Comeragh Mountains.
© 2007 The Irish Times
