Bóthar na Ríeóg or St Declans Road

According to Power (1905, 123) an ancient road running between Lismore and Ardmore crossed the N-S River Blackwater at a ford (WA029-012----), which brought it to Affane (WA029-013----). From here a branch (WA029-014----) extended E (L c. 3.5m) towards Whitechurch along public and private roads, but it disappears c. 1km from the E-W River Finisk (ibid. 123-4). However, a short section (L c. 100m) survives as a lane leading to the river (WA030-011----). From Whitechurch the route turned S on the public road to Knocknaskagh cross-roads (L c. 1.1km), from where farm roads took it through Knocknaskagh and Keereen townlands (L c. 1.9km) to a minor road in Keereen Upper. From here the route runs SW past the moated site (WA029-052----) (L c. 800m ) and on to Curraheen townland (L c. 1km). From here farm lanes continued the route through Curraheen, Ballycullane, and Graigue, to Goish Bridge (L c. 2.5 km) (ibid. 124). From Goish bridge it is continued S to Ballinure (L c. 2km), with some interuptions, by farm lanes running parallel with the N-S Youghal to Clonmel Road (R671) and c. 200m to the E . From Ballinure it turns SE along public roads almost as far as the E-W Lickey River (L c. 4km), the last 300m or so by way of a lane (ibid. 124-5). From this point onwards it is associated with St. Declan, and on the S side of the Lickey a forest track (L c. 380) leads SE from where a series of farm tracks continues it SSE (L c. 1.8 km) to the NE-SW N25 Dungarvan to Cork road, at a point c. 480m NE of Grange church (WA038-026001-). From this point the road cannot be traced (L c. 1.7 km), but it resumes in Ballynamertinagh (WA038-036----) (ibid. 125). Power, Rev. P. (1905) The Rian bó Phadruig (the ancient highway of the Decies) JRSAI 35, 110-29. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 September 2011