Ramble an ancient way through Laois and Kilkenny's shared past and present

The Woodenbridge Paddlers Erkina River Festival returns again in 2023 and this year's event will feature an Ancient Road Walk through history and scenery shared by Laois and Kilkenny.

The event takes place on Sunday, August 13 having being deferred from July 13. It will trace the route of the ancient road that ran from Western Upper Ossory to Kilkenny.
Michael G Phelan is one of the organisers and explained more about the route.

“It crossed the River Erkina near a ford which was located near Coolkerry Church 2km northwest of Rathdowney. It then continued by Carrick and Kilnaseer to Gorteen crossing the River Goul near Newtown Nunnery before continuing to Kilkenny via Aharney Church.

“The Sligh Dhála was one of five principal highways leading from Tara in early medieval Ireland dates back to AD 123 according to an entry in the annals of the Four Masters for that period,” he said.

Mr Phelan also set out what participants can expect.

“Along with rambling by four rivers and three parishes you will also discover many historical sites in this area along the south Laois/ Kilkenny border,” he said.

The 10km walk will start from the Woodenbridge over the Erkina River at 2.30pm. Walkers will then make their way to Killogue Churchyard. There they will follow a pathway to a temporary constructed bridge at the original crossing of the ancient road over the River Goul close to the Nunnery at Newtown.

Pilgrims on the ancient road will then continued by the site of an 18th century Mass rock, the Church and Castle at Cahir Hill to the townland of Graigueavoice before meeting the Glosh Stream where a pathway would have taken you to St. John's Well and Church at Killenny More.

Ballykelly Castle is next on the ancient road before meeting the Seskin River. Your journey will now continue by the Wavers Way, the Ford of an Ancient Battle, St Bridget's Well and Aharney Church.

Having reached the county boundary the walk will finish in Lisdowney County Kilkenny

A bus service will be available here to carry walkers to where refreshments will be available in the same parish at the tavern of Mackey's in Gathabawn.

Afterwards, the bus will return all to the carpark at the Woodenbridge.

Ancient Roads are featured in the recently launched book The Erkina River From Source To Sea.

Registration from 2 pm at the Woodenbridge where parking will also be available.

The registration/ donation includes your bus fair. Laois Tourism Officer Regina Dunne will be at the starting post to raise the starter's flag on the event.

Proceeds to the Woodenbridge Paddlers & Woodenbridge Community Alert while a presentation to mark this momentous occasion will be made to all participants.

Ancient Laois life unearthed by road building paints new picture of the past

Ancient Roads are featured in the recently launched book The Erkina River From Source To Sea by Michael G Phelan.