Waterford Mountain Drive

Waterford Mountain Drive. – Dungarvan, Kilmeaden, Waterford City, Lemybrien, Clonmel, Cappoquin, Lismore, Cork

Drive Highlights

• King Johns Castle – Dungarvan.
• Waterford & Suir Valley Railway – Kilmeaden.
• Waterford Glass Show Rooms, Reginalds Tower – Waterford City.
• Mahon Falls – Lemybrien
• The Commeragh Mountains.
• Lismore Castle

Waterford – Dungarvan – Kilmeaden – Waterford City

Head east from Cork on the N8 which leads on to the N25 Waterford road. It is a wide good road all the way to Dungarvan (approx 73Kms) which is a pretty harbour town with a castle at its centre.

The wide easy to drive road continues on to Kilmeaden where you can pick up the scenic Waterford – Suir Valley rail experience. Continuing along this same road will bring you directly in to Waterford City Centre. (total distance for this leg 121Kms)

Waterford – Lemybrien (Mahon Falls)

Head back out of Waterford towards Cork along the N25. After 32Kms, as you enter Lemybrien village take a sharp right turn on to the R676 to get on to the scenic mountain drive. After a short distance along this road you will see a sign for Mahon Falls on the left which is a short distance away and offers some excellent panoramas. One km further on you will cross a cattle grid and you are entering the Mahon Valley. About 150 metres from the grid you will go down a small slope. This part is known as the Magic Road. Stop at the ‘fairy tree’ situated a few yards from the road to your left and turn off the engine. You will find to your amazement that the car will travel backwards up the hill with no power! A few hundred metres further on you will come to a car park. From there it is a pleasant and easy 15 minutes walk to the waterfall. (there are a number of very good hill walks in the area).

Mahon Falls – Clonmel – Cappoquin – Lismore

When you leave Mahon Falls come back to the R676 and turn left. After 13Kms turn left on to the R680. (it is important not to miss this junction). It is then 15 Kms to the N24 which will bring you to Clonmel. Signs are not too plentiful along this road so it is best to watch out for directions. Clonmel is a bustling town with lots of shops & restaurants.

Leaving Clonmel, it is a long twisting scenic route to Cappoquin and you will probably need to stop and get directions (don’t worry locals are friendly and there has been no reported cases of any tourists being bitten!). You need to get on to the R671 Dungarvan Road. After approximately 35Kms it connects with the N72. Turn right here and it is a direct good road to Cappoquin and Lismore.

Lismore – Cork

From Lismore you continue on the N72 in to Fermoy and ultimately link up with the M8 Motorway back in to Cork. (there is a toll of €1.90 on the road back to Cork)

• Total Distance 289Kms
• Driving Time 5hrs