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Sheep's Head Way

A peaceful, unspoilt peninsula, home of the Sheep’s Head Way walking route, which has some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery.

Home > Walking Routes > Eastern Trails > St Finbarr’s Way Linear

St Finbarr’s Way Linear

Start & FinishTop of the Rock, Drimoleague to Gougane Barra.
Distance31km
GradeStrenuous
Duration2 days (7hrs each day)(?)
Climb000m
Max. Height000m
Colour Code

Map

Map depicting the St Finbarr’s Way route

Directions

About St Finbarr’s Way

37km Estimated Time

7hrs each of two consecutive daysGrade

Strenuous, over high ground. Fog and cloud can descend quickly. Only experienced walkers should attempt this walk. Sturdy footwear required.

This walk begins at the Top of the Rock, Drimoleague, where local tradition states that St Finbarr in the 6th century “admonished the people to return to Christ, then went on his way to Gougane Barra”. Since that time, local people, until forty years ago, used to walk the 37km particularly on the Saint’s feast day: 25th September. The walk is a two day stretch with an overnight in Kealkil, an important walking centre in its own right. Three significant mountain and valley systems are traversed: The Ilen, Mealagh and Ouvane, and the walk culminates in a spectacular descent from Foilastoookeen, high above St Finbarr’s Oratory in Gougane Barra. The entire walk is steeped in Celtic history and archaeological remains.

St Finbarr’s Pilgrimage. Stretching from the Top of the Rock, Drimoleague, to Gougane Barra, at a distance of 31km, this two day walk follows in the footsteps of Saint Finbarr who visited Drimoleague in the 6th century. The walk passes through Kealkill, taking in part of the Carriganass walks on the way. The walk arrives at Gougane Barra not by road but by way of the  Beara Breffni Way, a steep and spectacular descent, with the hermitage of St Finbarr visible below in its serene lake island setting.  The walk is difficult and challenging in places and should not be undertaken in poor weather. 

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News & Updates

The Sheep’s Head Way is closed to the public on Sunday 31st January 2021

As usual each year, the Sheep’s Head Way is closed on 31 January, unless the expressed wishes of the Landowner states otherwise. This has become a customary practice which enables the landowner to grant permission for the public to access their land throughout the remaining year without risk of any public right of way being established. We hope you will respect this necessary inconvenience.

Mount Corrin loop

Due to storm damage, the forestry section of the Mount Corrin loop walk will remain closed until further notice.

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