westwards vee gap eastwards comeragh drive

Travel on the N72 from Dungarvan westwards to Lismore. Take the N668 north into the beautiful mountain country of the Knockmealdowns. At the summit is the magnificent Vee Gap where the views are superb, taking in the breath-taking splendour of West County Waterford and extending over the plain of Tipperary, with the Galtee Mountains in the north-west and Slievenamon in the north-east. A former local landowner, Samuel Grubb, liked the view so much, he arranged to be buried here, standing upright so that he could gaze forever at this beautiful scene. Descent on down to the village of Clogheen, which means Little Stone, continue on, visiting Cahir and its Castle or return to Dungarvan via Ballymacarberry. (From Clogheen one can travel westwards to Ballyporeen in whose cruciform church one Michael Reagan, great grand-father of former USA president, Ronald Reagan, was baptised in 1829. President Reagan paid an official visit to Ballyporeen in June '84). From Dungarvan take the N25 east at Lemybrien, turn left at the signpost for the 'Comeragh Drive' onto the R676 to Mahon Bridge. Follow the signposts. This circular drive through the Comeragh and Monavullagh Mountains presents you with a wide and varied kaleidoscope of ever changing mountain scenery. Purple heather, green shaded forestry, craggy outcrops of rock, sharp peaks outlined against the sky, tumbling mountain streams, deep and silent lakes, blending together to create a magic place. A place to stop and stare. A place to savour, to enjoy each moment to the full in the clean, fresh, pure air of these two beautiful mountain ranges. The 'Comeragh Drive' is a delight for the motorist or walker.