Molanna Loop

If you would like to get a real feel for an Irish woodland and riverbank with at least forty shades of green then the Keale river walk is the perfect solution.

Keale River is a level walk fenced from start to finish with many little bridges in between. It is completely safe and ideal for families. It is a 7km riverwalk between the two villages of Glenroe and Ballyorgan.

Go in at Ballydonoghue Bridge near Ballyorgan and travel along by the river. The start is through farmland and then you come to beautiful wood and a waterfall in the river.

For anyone doing the walk in October / November time, John Hennessy, a local man, advises to look out for the salmon jumping the waterfall. It is peaceful and quiet, with very active wildlife such as otters, dippers, kingfishers, Herons and squirrels. You will also come across one of the last oak tree woodland left in Ireland with many anemone, bluebells or mushrooms depending on the time of year.

It may be a good idea to prepare yourself for the walk with a visit to The Village Inn pub in Ballyorgan where the walk begins and finish off by relaxing in Daly's pub at the other side of the walk in Glenroe, Darragh Bridge.

Molanna Loop Walk continues further for another 6km (download Molanna Loop Guide below for more details).