Exploring the shore from Dromineer

This month I would like to highlight another of my favourite routes, exploring the countryside and the shoreline to the north of Dromineer. This route is available as both a Guided Tour and as Self-Guided (with the route provided on a Garmin satnav device). The route starts and ends on the Lough Derg shore in historic Dromineer, taking in the rolling countryside of North Tipperary, along with many historic sights and some beautiful stretches of shoreline. It is 34KM long, and does not involve any serious climbs.

 

 

The Tour

We start from Dromineer, which was an important port on the trade routes from Dublin to Limerick, particularly after the development of the canals. In the 19th Century it became a centre for tourism, and it still is today. You can get a coffee before you set off, or can admire the lake views and the 13th Century castle which looks out over the water.

From Dromineer we proceed on quiet back roads to Knigh Cross, pausing to admire the weir at Hanley’s Woollen Mill at Balyartella. At Knigh Cross there is a Castle and a church, both from the 15th Century, and here you will hear tales of the former owners of the three Castles which we pass on this tour, namely the O’Kennedys. At one time they owned something like 1/3 of the land in County Tipperary, and Knigh Cross was one of their strongholds. The ruined church across the road includes the graves of many of the local families, and you will hear the story of one family in particular, the Minnits. One of their member was murdered, and his grave actually names those who were accused of killing him, which is highly unusual, particularly as none of those people named were ever found guilty in a court of law!

 

 

 

Moving on from Knigh, we continue along quiet country roads into Kilbarron village, where we can see the memorial to local lad Shane MacGowan, before heading back towards the lake shore. As we head downhill, we will see the 12th Century Kilbarron Abbey, before reaching the lake shore at the beautifully peaceful Cleary’s Quay. Then we head along the shore for a few Kilometers, taking in beautiful views, including Illaunmore and the hills of Counties Galway and Clare on the other side of the lough.

 

 

The final stretch takes us past the haunted Annagh Castle, and then into the picturesque village of Puckaun, which was apparently named after a shebeen which used to be there. Finally, we head over a hill and down into Dromineer.

 

 

 

This tour highlights some of the most historic and scenic parts of North Tipperary and the Lough Derg lakeshore. It is a 10-minute drive from Nenagh, and can also be reached from there by the Route 322 TFI bus. If you wish, it can also be done starting from Nenagh – adding around 15km to the route.