Waterford is a fantastic coastal county with mountains, rivers, forests, lakes and the sea within easy reach, all of which offer excellent walking in superb surroundings. The varied habitats of the county support a distinctive but varying flora and fauna, which add interest and colour to a ramble. Many of the places we visit are havens for wildlife and it is all the more fulfilling if we encounter wildlife on any of our rambles, especially birds, flowers and insects that we can get reasonably close views of and all the better if we can manage to identify some of them. If you want to know more about the places you visit in Waterford, then you should buy this book.
The purpose of this book is to alert the keen walker to some of the more alluring walks that can be undertaken in the scenic county of Waterford, walks that will take you to the Comeragh and Knockmealdown Mountains, along the rivers Blackwater and Suir, around some of the coastal estuaries at Dungarvan and Tramore, on the cliff walks at Ardmore and Dunmore East and through some of the accessible forests in the county. Particular emphasis is placed on the wildlife that live in these areas, some of which is likely to be encountered during a walk.
The walks that are described can be undertaken without much difficulty by any reasonably fit person, regardless of walking ability or age, and usually no special equipment is needed. Generally the emphasis is on walking at an easy and relaxed pace, which maximises the opportunities for watching any wildlife that is there to be heard and seen and to better appreciate the surroundings.
Walking is a year round sport, for that is what it now is, as thousands of people realise the benefits of walking, especially if it can be done safely, easily and often in picturesque surroundings. We have in Ireland some of the finest scenery in the world which is explored and appreciated by a growing number of visitors to our shores, many of whom choose walking as their preferred form of recreation when here.
Each walk is illustrated with a map, which indicates the various features of the walk. For each walk the grid reference of the starting point is given which can be found from the 1:50,000 Discovery map. The walks are presented according to habitat: coast, uplands, forest, rivers/lakes/reservoirs and urban areas, and the various elements of the flora and fauna that are likely to occur are described. Where there are interesting features or activities nearby, these too are detailed. A chapter of Useful Information lists factors to be aware of when walking (weather, clothing, footwear and equipment, maps, safety issues, animal welfare, access and dos and don’ts of walking in the countryside) and includes a reading list, which might be useful for preparing for a walk in Waterford, or indeed for further enlightenment when the walk is over.
The various chapters in the book and the walks described are as follows:
Introduction
Coastal Walks
1. Ardmore cliff walk, 2. Ballynagaul/Helvick, 3. The Cunnigar,
4. Tramore beach, 5. Saleen, 6. Dunmore East to Portally
Upland Walks
7. Crohaun, 8. Coum Mahon , 9. Coumshingaun, 10. Crotty’s Rock, 11. The Nire Valley Coums
(Circuit of the Nire coums: The Gap, Sgilloge Loughs, Coumalocha & Coumfea), 12. Knockmealdown Mountains
River & Lake Walks
13. River Blackwater & Lady Louisa’s Walk, 14. Licky River , 15. Ballyscanlan Lake, 16. Carrigavrantry Reservoir,
17. River Suir at Mount Congreve, 18. Waterford Harbour
Forest & Inland Walks
19. Ballysaggartmore Towers, 20. Glenshelane, 21. Villierstown & Dromana, 22. Colliganwood
23. Portlaw Woods, 24. Fenor Bog boardwalk, 25. The Anne Valley, 26. Faithlegg Wood
Urban Walks
27. Dungarvan, 28. Doneraile Walk/Newtown Glen, 29. Bilberry to Carriganore
30. King’s Channel to Ballinakill Downs, 31. The Island, 32. Kilbarry Bog/Nature Park
Useful Information & List of species
The book is B5 in size (240 mm x 170 mm), and has 248 pages of text, photographs and maps in full colour throughout.