RTE's Tracks & Trails television series to feature Tipperary section of St Declan's Way

A stunningly beautiful section of the St Declan’s Way walk from Cahir to the Knockmealdown Mountains will be featured in the final episode of this season’s run of the Tracks & Trails TV series that will be broadcast on RTE 1 on Friday, May 10 at 7.30pm.

Veteran journalist Tommie Gorman, who was Northern Editor for RTE News for many years, hikes this part of the ancient pilgrim trail.

Mr Gorman is a committed walker and in this episode of Tracks & Trails he weaves his love of being outside walking with connections he makes along the way through his deep knowledge of Irish history and politics.  

The 115km St Declan’s Way follows the route St Declan took when going from Ardmore in county Waterford to Cashel in county Tipperary to meet St. Patrick in the fifth century.

Tommie Gorman’s trek covers just part of the route, from Cahir to the Knockmealdown Mountains.

There is much history and many sites of national significance along this trail with the first stop at Cahir Castle.  

After a wander inside the castle walls, Tommie set off along the towpath alongside the River Suir where he arrives at Swiss Cottage.  

He then leaves the river behind and hits the quiet road sections of this trail through the Tipperary countryside.

 It is along one of these rural settings that he comes to the ruins of Lady’s Abbey, an old church and graveyard where he takes time to stop and reflect on times of deep significance in his own life.   
 

One of the lovely features of this trail is the variety of terrain underfoot from towpaths, country lanes, forest trails and mountain paths.  

Nearing the last section of his hike at Knockbilliniry forest park, he meets Dr Janice Fuller from Coillte who talks about the importance of forests in Ireland for recreation, for the protection of our wildlife and their role in protecting against climate change.

With plenty to think about and the skies opening up, he treks his way through the forest to visit the Liam Lynch Monument near Goatenbridge.

He interviews John G. O'Dwyer, author of Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, who recounts the fascinating story of Anti-Treaty side leader General Liam Lynch who was fatally wounded at this spot at the end of the Civil War and tells how his death effectively brought the Irish Civil War to an end.  

The last section of Tommie Gorman’s walk is through the rugged and scenic trail through the forest and up into the Knockmealdowns where he finishes the show with a reflection on all he has seen and heard looking across the rolling landscape and in the shadow of Sliabh na mBan in the far distance.

The first episode of Tracks & Trails featured the Boolas loop walk in the Comeragh Mountains, which was hiked by journalist, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant.