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 highest summit in the range and the highest point in County Waterford. The mountains sit just inland from the port of Dungarvan and extend westward toward Clonmel. If you have one day and a head for heights, the corrie at Coumshingaun is the walk to do – nothing else in the southeast quite matches 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 rising over 365 m above the water. 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, in places actively growing peat up to two metres deep, and the whole range is a designated Special Area of Conservation. 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. Today the Comeragh Mountaineering Club maintains many of the routes. Two festivals bookend the walking year: the Comeragh Mountains Walking Festival in October, centred on the Nire Valley, and Comeragh’s Wild Festival in summer, based around the Mahon Valley and Rathgormack.
Walking the Comeraghs
Fauscoum: The Highest Peak
Fauscoum (also known as Kilclooney Mountain) is the logical goal for anyone wanting to stand on the highest point in County Waterford. The ascent begins from a turn-off on the N25 near the Lismore-Dungarvan junction. The path climbs steadily through open, heather-covered moorland before reaching a wide, windswept plateau. 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. The ascent is moderate and suitable for fit walkers, though the exposed summit can be cold and windy.
Knockanaffrin Ridge
For more experienced hikers, the Knockanaffrin Ridge offers one of the most dramatic ridge walks in the southeast. Starting from the Nire Valley Car Park, the trail follows green-arrow waymarks through the boggy Nire Valley before climbing to The Gap (2.5 km from the car park). From here, the route scrambles along the 755 m ridge, offering sweeping vistas over the Suir Valley, Lough Mohra, Coumduala and the distant Knockmealdown Mountains. The ridge section involves some exposed scrambling and requires a head for heights. The round trip covers 4–5 km and typically takes 2–3 hours.
The Nire Valley Lakes
The Nire Valley is the heartland of the Comeragh lakes. Its car park is not on the N25, despite what some directions suggest: from the N25 you turn off at Ballymacarbry, then follow the signs for roughly 4 km past Nire Church and Hanora’s Cottage to the car park at the road’s end.
- 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. Allow 2–3 hours.
- Coumduala Loop: A 7.4 km circuit marked with purple arrows, steeper and more rugged than the Mohra loop, climbing through a sand road and mountain terrain to a pear-shaped lake below the ridge. The black-rock moraines and quartz-speckled sandstone make for striking photography. Allow about four hours; suitable for experienced walkers.
- Coumshingaun Lough: one of the finest classic corries in these islands, reached from its own car park on the eastern side of the range. A short lakeside walk (about 4 km) takes you to the water; the full loop over the surrounding cliffs is 8 km with 700 m of climbing, exposed in places and best reserved for confident hikers comfortable with boggy, uneven ground.
Mahon Falls
Not all Comeragh walks require high-altitude scrambling. Mahon Falls, located near Lemybrien, is an 80-metre waterfall fed by the sandstone slopes of the Comeragh plateau. A short forest walk from the Lismore-Dungarvan road leads to viewing points framed by native oak woodland. The walk is easy to moderate and makes a pleasant addition to a day exploring the lower foothills.
Matthewstown Passage Tomb
Located on an exposed ridge roughly one mile north of Fenor, the Matthewstown Passage Tomb is a significant 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. It is an ideal cultural stop after a ridge walk, connecting visitors to the ancient reverence for these high places.
Practical Information
- Getting There: The main approaches leave the N25 between Dungarvan and Waterford City. For the Nire Valley Car Park, turn off at Ballymacarbry rather than looking for it on the main road. On public transport, Bus Éireann Route 40 (Waterford City to Dungarvan) stops at Curraheen, about 500 m from the mountain entrance; from Dungarvan, taxis or bike hire cover the rest.
- Parking: Free parking is available at the Nire Valley Car Park, with a gated forest entrance, an information board and clear trailhead markers.
- Dogs: Dungarvan Tourism’s country code states that dogs are not permitted on the upland walks in the Comeraghs, to protect livestock and ground-nesting birds. Leave them at home for the high routes.
- Waymarking: The Knockanaffrin Ridge is marked with green arrows, and the Coumduala Loop uses purple arrows. The Fauscoum ascent follows standard Irish mountain-trail markers.
- Season & Weather: Late spring to early autumn offers the most reliable footing and longest daylight hours. Mountain weather changes rapidly; waterproof clothing, sturdy boots and a map or GPS are essential.
- Safety: Several routes involve steep scrambles and exposed ridges. Hikers should honestly assess their fitness levels, carry a first-aid kit and inform someone of their intended route. Mobile reception is limited or non-existent in the higher valleys.
- Facilities: There are no permanent facilities on the peaks. The villages of Kilmacthomas and Lemybrien offer cafés, pubs and accommodation ranging from B&Bs to self-catering cottages.
- Events: The Comeragh Mountains Walking Festival in October is a highlight of the local calendar, featuring guided walks, trail runs and cultural talks that showcase the heritage of the Nire Valley.
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.