Page 93 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 7: Tipperary’s Holy Glen 91

Tipperary
VISITING GLEN OF AHERLOW
NATURE PARK
Stone
Cottage Parking
Christ the There is a car park at the Christ the
King Statue
King Statue, the entrance to the Glen
of Aherlow Nature Park.
Stone Bridge
Glen of Aherlow Information Centre
Maps and information on the Glen.
Glen of Aherlow Faílte Society, Coach
Road; 062 56331; www.aherlow.com;
open Jun–Aug: Mon-Sat; Sep–May:
Mon–Fri
0 metres 400
Aherlow Lodge EAT AND DRINK IN CASHEL
Hotel
0 yards 400
Newtown The Bakehouse inexpensive
A bakery with a café upstairs, opposite
the Tourist Information Office. Offers
3 Glen of Aherlow Nature Park well-prepared unfussy food.
Main St; 062 61680; closes 5:30pm
The Glen of Aherlow, a 25-km (15-mile) long valley dotted with Feehan’s Bar inexpensive
megalithic and early Christian sites, runs from Galbally in the west to This pleasant pub serves up home-
Bansha in the east. Within the valley, the Christ the King statue is a made soups, steak sandwiches and
major landmark and the starting point for a network of hiking trails more. Takeaway also available.
Main St; 062 61929
in the Glen of Aherlow Nature Park. It is said that the statue’s raised Chez Hans expensive
hand bestows a blessing on all who pass. Fine food served in the unusual setting
of an old church. A signature dish is
One- to two-hour walk beautiful forest glade, mountain the cassoulet of seafood. Next door,
Café Hans offers more informal dining.
One of several trails in the nature stream and stone bridge 2. Cross Moore Lane; 062 61177;
park, Bianconi Forest Walk is a 7-km the bridge and follow the wide track www.chezhans.net; closed Sun & Mon
(4-mile) loop. It is glorious at all times as it snakes to a T-junction. Turn right
of the year, but especially in spring, and follow the path to a paved road.
when the woods – a habitat for red To the left is the Aherlow Lodge Below View over the glorious Glen of Aherlow
squirrels – are filled with Hotel 3, a good stop for with the Galtee Mountains in the background
bluebells and primroses. refreshments. Turn right,
From the car park near the follow the road up a steady
Christ the King statue 1, rise for 1 km (half a mile),
walk up to the display board taking in the views of the
above the picnic area. The glen. At the T-junction turn
Bianconi Walk is marked by right and walk downhill,
a blue arrow. Entering the with a clear view of
forest, follow the path down Galtymore, the highest
stone steps, over a wooden peak in the Galtee
bridge and turn right. When Mountains. Leave the road
the path divides after about and re-enter the forest. The
300 m (984 ft), veer left, path leads down to a
pausing to read the first of crossroads. On the left,
a series of poems on a The Christ the stone steps lead up to the
tree trunk. King statue ruins of an old stone
Continue along the path cottage 4 from the famine
to a stone stile. Cross this and turn era (1845–70). Follow the path back
left along a broad path, shaded by to the start.
oak and ash trees – once part of the ª From the Christ the King statue
old Bianconi coach route from follow the R664 to Newtown (3 km/2
Tipperary to Limerick, named after miles). At the T-junction, turn right
Charles Bianconi, who founded onto the R663, signposted Galbally.
public transport in Ireland with a Just outside Newtown, after the
carriage service from Clonmel to Glen Hotel, follow the left sign for
Cahir in 1815. Walk down the hill to a Clonbeg Church.
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive, over €50

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