Overview
The Comeragh Mountains (Na Comaraigh) form a glaciated range straddling the border of County Waterford and County Tipperary. Peaks rise from the surrounding farmland to Fauscoum (792 m). The mountains sit just inland from the port of Dungarvan and extend westward toward Clonmel and the Suir Valley. If you have one day and a head for heights, the corrie at Coumshingaun is the walk to think about: a lake ringed by cliffs on three sides. Foothill villages including Kilrossanty, Kilmacthomas, Lemybrien and Rathgormack are the traditional gateways.
Landscape & History
The Comeraghs are built of Old Red Sandstone laid down in the late Devonian, then carved by ice: during the last Ice Age the sheets gouged out deep, steep-sided valleys and left a string of corrie lakes (locally coums) behind them. The most dramatic is Coumshingaun Lough, a bowl-shaped basin ringed by cliffs. Others carry their own stories: Crotty’s Lough is named for William Crotty, a highwayman who used these fastnesses as a hideout and was hanged in 1742.
The central plateau is blanket bog, and the Comeragh Mountains Special Area of Conservation covers protected habitats including blanket bog and upland lakes. That protection matters: the uplands hold peregrine falcon, raven, hen harrier and buzzard, along with Irish hare and the feral goats you’ll often see on the crags. For centuries the pastures were used for summer grazing, and the name Fauscoum is said to derive from Fásach Cum, “wild ridge”, a fair description of the heather-covered summit.
Human history in the mountains runs deep. The Matthewstown Passage Tomb (c. 2500–2000 BC) sits on an exposed ridge near Fenor, part of the Scilly-Tramore group of Neolithic monuments. In the early 20th century, the mountains took on a more solitary character with Jim Fitzgerald, a World War I veteran known as the “Hermit of Lackendara,” who lived in a cave on the edge of Coumshingaun. Local walking festivals are held in the mountains over the year, centred on the Nire Valley, Mahon Valley and Rathgormack; check the Dungarvan Tourism site for current dates.
Three walking choices
Mahon Falls
Not all Comeragh walks require high-altitude scrambling. For Mahon Falls, follow the signs from Mahon Bridge off the R676 to the falls car park. Dungarvan Tourism describes a path from the car park towards the base of the falls. Return by the same path and keep away from slippery rocks and the water. It makes a pleasant addition to a day exploring the lower foothills.
The Nire Valley
The Nire Valley is the heartland of the Comeragh lakes. The signed car park is reached from Ballymacarbry, not from the main N25, so follow the road signs rather than looking for it on the main road.
- Lough Mohra Loop: a circuit that climbs through Glenpatrick Woods to the glacial basin of Lough Mohra, passing ancient ring forts before reaching the lake. In calm weather the water throws back “infinity pool” reflections against the surrounding cliffs.
- Coumduala Loop: a strenuous 8 km circuit marked with purple arrows, with 540 m of ascent and mountain terrain, climbing to a pear-shaped lake below the ridge. The black-rock moraines and quartz-speckled sandstone make for striking photography. Suitable for experienced walkers. Sport Ireland lists permissive access and an annual closure on the third Thursday of December, so check that and any other notices before setting out.
- Knockanaffrin Ridge: for more experienced hikers, the ridge above the valley offers sweeping views over the Suir Valley, Lough Mohra, Coumduala and the distant Knockmealdown Mountains. It crosses exposed ground and needs a head for heights and confident navigation.
Coumshingaun
Dungarvan Tourism distinguishes the lower lake outing from the exposed high circuit. Use the published route information and allow for rocky and boggy ground even on the approach. Leave the high rim for a day with good visibility and for walkers who can navigate confidently off waymarked trails. Coumshingaun Lough is a classic glacial corrie.
Fauscoum and the higher ridges
Fauscoum (also known as Kilclooney Mountain) crosses exposed ground, as do the higher ridges. On a clear day the views stretch from the Copper Coast and the Atlantic Ocean in the south to the Nire Valley lakes and the Galtee Mountains to the west, but the exposed summit can be cold and windy. Check the mountain forecast and access for your exact route before setting out.
Matthewstown Passage Tomb
Located on an exposed ridge roughly one mile north of Fenor, the Matthewstown Passage Tomb is a Neolithic site. The monument measures approximately 4.5 m by 1.8 m and is oriented to the east. It sits in a striking, open location that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and makes a cultural stop connecting visitors to the ancient reverence for these high places.
Practical Information
- Getting There: use the signed car park for your chosen route, and check bus and taxi options in advance as services are limited.
- Dogs: local guidance excludes dogs from the upland walks in the Comeraghs, to protect livestock and ground-nesting birds. Leave them at home for the high routes.
- Waymarking: the Coumduala Loop uses purple arrows. Do not assume the higher ridges are waymarked.
- Season & Weather: late spring to early autumn generally offers the most reliable footing and longest daylight hours. Mountain weather changes rapidly; carry a map, compass, waterproofs and enough daylight to get down.
- Safety: several routes cross steep ground and exposed ridges. Assess your fitness honestly, inform someone of your intended route, and expect limited mobile reception in the higher valleys.
- Facilities: there are no permanent facilities on the peaks. The foothill villages offer cafés, pubs and accommodation; check what is open before you travel.
Photography Tips
The Comeraghs provide rich material for photographers, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when the light brings out the deep greens of the heather and the subtle grey hues of the quartz rock. The mist-shrouded cliffs of Coumshingaun at sunrise, the mirror-like surface of Lough Mohra on a still day, and the dramatic vertical drop of Mahon Falls are standout subjects. Carry a lens that can handle wide landscapes, and be prepared for low-light conditions in the deep corries.
Check the Dungarvan Tourism website for current trail conditions before heading out, as the Nire Valley tracks can become heavily boggy after prolonged rain.