Castlelyons Franciscan Abbey Loop

Castlelyons (Caisleán Ó Liatháin) is a very interesting old village, with many historical and archaeological features of note. To learn more about just a few of these, take a look at this route’s Points of Interest. Park your car at the Castlelyons Community Centre. Walk up the village towards Fermoy and take the first turn right at the Franciscan Abbey. Continue along this road for 1.9km, passing on your left a pretty thatched cottage. At the T junction, turn right and, at the next crossroads (half a mile later), turn right again.

Walk along this road for approximately 3.2km, noting the very rich farmland which bounds it on both sides. At the school in Castlelyons village, on the junction known as Stable Cross, turn right and proceed back up the village. On your left, you will see the ruins of the old Barrymore Castle. Proceed along the road until you arrive back at your car. – Information on walk provided by Barry Connolly, Tom Baker, Kevin O’Farrell and Tom Tobin, from their guide ‘Walking in Fermoy, the Galtees and Surroundings’ (Fermoy, 1999)