Take a walk on the 'Wild Side,' in Grange, Tipperary
The annual Grange / Crag Loop Walk, here in the Slieveardagh Hills, in County Tipperary takes place on Sunday next the 17th July 2011.
Starting time is at 1.30pm and the meeting point is Hogan’s Pub, in the village of Grange, where light refreshments will be served.
Directions to this worthwhile event will be signposted from the surrounding villages of Glengoole, NewBirmingham, Ballingarry, Urlingford, Gortnahoe, Ballysloe and all approach roads.
Directions to Grange [Map Ref:]
If you are a visitor coming from outside the area, from the town of Urlingford on the N8, take the R690 in the direction of Mullinahone. After 2km stay on the R690 as the road splits – the R689 goes to Killenaule. Continue for almost 5km with the impressive stone wall of Kilcooly Abbey to your left, to a junction where you turn left (Following the natural wall line.) off the main road and after 2km you will enter the village of Grange. The trail-head is located opposite Hogan’s Bar.
Grange is a small village in the Slieveardagh Hills on the Tipperary border with Kilkenny. It lies just east of the magnificent ruin of Kilcooly Abbey founded in 1182. Grange derives its name from it being an out-farm or in Gaelic the ‘Gainseach,’ of Kilcooly. The medieval tower-house castle, situated here, would have protected the area of the abbey estate.
The Grange area is widely acknowledged as extremely scenic and interesting in its historical heritage, and is host to a range of wildlife, including fallow deer, red squirrels and many species of rare native flowers.
There are two interlinked looped walks in Grange. The shorter walk is the Grange Loop [3km] and the longer the Crag Loop [6km]. Close to here, Kilcooly derives its name from the Gaelic, Cill Chuile, “The church of the corner,” or angle. The Abbey and all of the Slieveardagh region does indeed lie in a corner, between the hills to the east and the bog and on its west. It is no mystery therefore that this beautiful scenic area is referred to as ‘Tipperary’s Hidden Corner.’
Enjoy your visit, but remember, as in all walking adventures, do bring stout walking shoes, a camera, suitable rain wear, a snack and fluid!
See ya there and for any queries regarding this event:- Tel: 052 9156165 or Tel: 085 1169650.
Leave a Reply