Castlemorris

 

 Ordnance Survey: Discovery Series 67.

Distance 7.5 kilometres.    Time 1½ hours.

Degree of difficulty: Easy. Mostly well maintained gravel paths with some quiet back roads

Total ascent: 106 metres.

Trailhead: Grid Reference S 490 357.  From the centre of the village of Kilmaganny take the R701 (signposted Newmarket 5, Knocktopher 9) for just under 4 kilometres. There is ample parking on the left for the trailhead which is through the gates across the road.

Having gone through the gates, cross the stile on your left immediately after the rather austere gate lodge on your right. The pathway rises gently through a mixture of  tall evergreen and deciduous trees on both sides. After 280 metres, pass a turn-off on your left and follow the arrows which indicate that you should go straight on. Much of the path is covered in soft leaf-mould, making conditions underfoot quite pleasant, especially in dry weather This section of the walk is, however, quite sheltered and very suitable for inclement weather as well.

After 1½ kilometres, the path swings to the right and we pass the courtyard of an old, long-abandoned Big House on the left. Continue on, following the purple and red arrows, as the path becomes narrower and  suitable only for single-file walking.

A few hundred meters later, the path passes through a rather gloomy, tunnel-like, stand of rhododendrons, before passing to the rear of a large modern residence.

Two hundred metres later, the path merges with a wider roadway, where we turn right, before shortly following the path as it swings to the left. After a further 200 metres, we emerge once again onto the public road, and turn right, uphill, and pass a cluster of 3 modern residences set a little way back from the road. Beyond the houses, the road climbs steadily, before we leave it to turn once more into the woods on the left and passing some reassuring purple arrows directing you onward. After a little while, emerge at a T-junction and turn left, back down the hill. Note the cleared ground on the right, and the tall, sturdy trees, indicating that we are now in a forest of much greater age than earlier.

Pass the metal barrier to emerge once again onto the public road, and turn right through well-tended farmland on both sides of the road. Ignore the first turn-off to the left back into the forest, and 200 metres later turn left again into the woods. Pass over some streams, noting that in early spring this section of woods is alive with birdsong for the Dawn Chorus.

Ignore the turning to your left and follow the many-hued arrows pointing you straight ahead. The path narrows again, and 500 metres later emerges onto the track where  we began the walk. Turn right and the trailhead is 280 metres away.

Two facts concerning Castlemorris:

>>>  Castlemorris Woods are owned and managed by Coillte, which acquired ownership of the Irish State's forests (about 445,000 hectares) in 1989. These forests make a significant contribution to Ireland's greenhouse gases targets and are enjoyed by 18 million visitors every year. These visits generate €270 million per annum in rural communities and help sustain rural development. There is no charge to walk in Coillte forests; you might, however, consider making your contribution by visiting a local pub, buying a meal or a sandwich, or even a bottle of water.

>>>  The old door and the stone shed in the courtyard are all that remain of what was once one of Ireland's great country houses. It belonged to the Montmorency families. Built around 1751, it had a reputed 365 windows, and was finally demolished in 1978. The Castlemorris estate was formerly known as An Doire Liath [Ir. The Grey Wood].