Overview
Most people who turn off the R676 for Kilrossanty are really headed a few kilometres up the road to Mahon Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Comeragh Mountains. The village itself is a quiet civil parish in the Comeragh foothills of County Waterford, on the road between Dungarvan and Carrick-on-Suir – more a base for the falls and the high ridges than a destination in its own right.
History
The old centre of the parish keeps the ruins of its former church, a modest stone structure, and beside it three holy wells, the principal one dedicated to St Brigid and still visited.
Just outside the village stands Comeragh House, a 19th-century mansion once home to the explorer John Palliser, known for his surveys of the Canadian West. In the mid-20th century it was occupied by the Dutch art collector Pieter Menten, whose record caught up with him: he was arrested and eventually banned from returning to Ireland. The house was sold after his death, but the façade remains.
Mahon Falls and the walking
A short drive from the village brings you to Mahon Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Comeragh range. The marked trail follows a river gorge past smaller cascades to a viewing point that frames the main drop. It suits most walkers and can be extended into longer ridge walks up into the mountains. If you only have an hour, this is the walk to do.
What to see and do
- Holy wells – the St Brigid well and its two companions sit in a quiet garden, a glimpse of the old devotional landscape.
- Church ruins – stone fragments of the old parish church at the heart of the settlement.
- Comeragh House – the interior is private, but the exterior reads well from the road with the mountains behind it.
- Hill-walking – the Comeraghs offer everything from gentle forest walks to ridge scrambles. The Mahon Falls trail is the obvious starting point.
- Kilrossanty GAA Club – a local Gaelic football or hurling match is the most direct way to see the place on a normal weekend.
- The village pub – a pint of stout and conversation about the area’s folklore.
- Comeragh Pods Glamping – the award-winning pods sit amid the mountains, each with a private bathroom, TV, tea and coffee, and an outdoor picnic bench. A hot-tub or sauna can be added for a fee, and there is a communal campfire.
Pod amenities
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sleeping | Queen-size bed with linen |
| Bathroom | En-suite shower, toilet, hair-dryer |
| Kitchenette | Tea/coffee maker, mini-fridge |
| Entertainment | Flat-screen TV |
| Outdoor | Private picnic bench, Wi-Fi hotspot |
| Optional extras | Hot-tub, sauna (additional charge) |
Practical information
Getting there – Kilrossanty is on the R676. From Dungarvan, follow the R676 north for about 12 km; from Waterford city, head west on the N25 then turn onto the R676. The nearest airport is Waterford, about 45 km away.
Accommodation – the main option is Comeragh Pods, booked through comeraghpods.ie. The site has a communal building with a kitchen, lounge and free parking. For a hotel, the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore and Hanora’s Cottage in the Nire Valley are both within a 40-minute drive.
Contact – for the glamping site, call +353 58 54646 or email info@wlp.ie (the Waterford Leadership Partnership, which administered the LEADER funding for the project).
Accessibility – the pods are ground-level with private bathrooms, which suits guests with limited mobility. The communal area is wheelchair-friendly, and the site has an automatic gate and CCTV.
Seasonality – the pods run year-round, but May to September is the busiest, when the hill-walking and outdoor weather are at their best. Book ahead in that window.
Nearby – consider a short drive to Mahon Falls, the glacial Coumshingaun Lough, or the town of Lismore with its castle and gardens.