Tipperary, Part i - St. Declan's Way, Cahir to Ardfinnan

In the final episode in this series, veteran journalist and political commentator Tommie Gorman visits Co.Tipperary to walk part of an ancient trail taken by St. Declan. 

A committed walker ​​Tommie weaves his love of being outside on the trails with connections he makes along the way through his deep knowledge of Irish history and politics.   In this programme we follow just one trail, packed with places to stop and stories from our ancient past and our much more recent history and Tommie revels in every step of the discovery.  With new places to uncover and quiet spots to stop and reflect, Tommie Gorman truly makes this trail his own. 

Although St. Declan’s Way follows the route that Declan took when going from Ardmore in Co. Waterford to Cashel in Co.Tipperary to meet St. Patrick in the fifth century, on Tommie’s journey he starts out from the market town of Cahir, Co.Tipperary and walks in the direction of the Knockmealdowns.   There is much history and many sites of national significance along this trail, the first stop being right at the start of this walk in at the perfectly preserved Cahir Castle.  After a wander inside the castle walls Tommie set off along the towpath alongside the River Suir where he arrives at Swiss Cottage.  This is a beautifully restored cottage Orné hidden in the trees on the banks of the river.   Tommie leaves the river behind and hits the quiet road sections of this trail through the Tipperary countryside.  It is along one of these rural settings that he comes to the ruins of Lady’s Abbey, an old church and graveyard where he takes time to stop and reflect on times of deep significance in his own life.