Walking notes:

This walk follows the first few kilometers of the Lough Derg Way. Starting at Dromineer follow the Lough Derg Way as far as the right turn by Cushmona (R821845). At that junction turn left and follow the road until it rejoins the Lough Derg Way at R812852. Turn right and return to Dromineer.
 

The following walking note was written by Jim Murray and first published in the November 1996 edition of Inland Waterway News. Jim appears to walk somewhat faster than the standard set by walker@iwai.ie and happily for visitors to these pages uses the time saved to write more informative notes. The map references used above have been added to Jim's notes and are printed in italics.

Although it may be known to some IWAI members, the following walk from Dromineer may be of interest. It is partly along the route of the Lough Derg Way (LDW), which currently appears to extend from Dromineer to Killaloe. The time taken for the walk was under 2 hours.

Leave Dromineer by the road past the Whiskey Still. When you reach a T-junction (R812852), signposted LDW, turn right.

A pleasant walk along a well metalled road leads to a gate into a private house. A sign on the left reads "Lough Derg Way walkers only".

Over the stile the LDW route through a series of fields is signalled only by occasional yellow arrows on posts.

A number of closed gates are passed by well built stiles to the right of each gate. There are occasional glimpses of Ryan's Point, Youghal Bay and the wider Lough Derg. At its remotest point, there is barely any evidence of car usage, even though a number of quite modern properties lead off the track.

You eventually reach a new well-made lakeboat harbour fronting a recently constructed bungalow, fenced off but quite accessible. It affords an idyllic view across Youghal Bay.

The walk continues past a succession of impressive holiday homes and turns inland near the top of Youghal Bay, through prosperous farmland, with the road gradually improving.

Eventually, you reach another T-junction (R821845), where the LDW turns right on its way to Killaloe. Instead a left turn will bring you back full circle to the LDW signposts (R812852) mentioned at the start.

A right turn leaves you a rewarding half-mile downhill walk back to Dromineer. The panoramic views on the way down of the harbour, St David's, Illanmore and the breadth of the lake are just reward for the labours of the previous couple of hours!
 

Jim Murray
 

Maps:

Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Discovery Series 1:50,000
- Map 59, Central Lough Derg including Williamstown, Dromineer, and Garrykennedy