Day 4 – Athy (Clanard Court Hotel) to Tralee (Keans of Curraheen)
Approx 160 miles / 4:45-5:45 hours + stops
All distances are approximate.
Part one: Athy to Cashel – 50 miles, 1hr 45 + Stops
- At the end of the hotel drive, turn Right
- At roundabout (with lock gates in the centre) take 2nd exit N78 direction Kilkenny.
- Continue on N78 for 20 miles through Newtown to Castlecomer.
- Turn Right on R694 to Ballyragget (4 miles)
- In Ballyragget turn Right on N77 for ¼ mile across River Nore, then Left on R694 to Freshford (5 miles)
- Enter Freshford. Coffee stop.
Loop Café (21 Bohercrussia St). Parking should be available on the street outside
- Reverse route and Left onto R693 to Urlingford and M8 (8 miles)
- Approaching Urlingford there are two options:
- Join M8 at J4 or
- Continue on R639 (which runs parallel with the M8 to the J7 roundabout (orange route on map)
- Leave M8 at J7 (18 miles) where the R639 joins the J7 roundabout.
- Continue on R639 to Cashel. Follow signs to Rock of Cashel. Park. Enjoy
Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, The Rock of Cashel, iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.
Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.
In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.
The surviving buildings are remarkable. Cormac’s Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland.
The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and – deservedly – most visited tourist attractions.
Lunch?
Part two: Cashel to Tralee – 110 miles, 3-4 hrs + stops
- Leave Rock of Cashel and return to M8 J8 or J9
- Join M8 direction Cork. Leave at J10 (Cahir) 7 miles
- Join N24 taking 1st exit at the J10 exit then 3rd exit at the second roundabout and 1st exit at the third. Join R640 to Cahir.
- Turn Right onto R913 before the river bridge and then Left onto R668 just before Morrison Mini dealership
- Stay on R668 and proceed through Kilcommon, Ballylooby heading for Clogheen and ‘The Vee’ (12 miles).
- Pass through Clogheen staying on R668 turning left still on R668 after Browne’s Supermarket direction Lismore and The Vee pass
The Vee Pass is a scenic mountain pass on the R668 road between Clogheen in County Tipperary and Lismore in County Waterford, Ireland. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Knockmealdown Mountains and the surrounding valleys, reaching an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level. The area is renowned for its vibrant rhododendron blooms in late spring, adding to the picturesque landscape. The Vee is also associated with the legend of Petticoat Loose, a reputed witch whose story is tied to the nearby Bay Lough.
- Continue to Lismore (12 miles)
- Enter Lismore and turn right onto N72 direction Mallow
- Stay on N72 through Tallow, Fermoy, Casteltownroche before Mallow and continue towards Killarney (60 miles)
- Approaching Killarney, join N22 direction Tralee.
- Stay on N22 to Tralee (20 miles)
- Approaching Tralee, join N70 to Dingle then N86 to Dingle
- Stay on N70 until Keanes of Curraheen on right hand side (5 miles)