Tommie Gorman continues his walk on St. Declan’s Way through the Knockmealdown Mountains.

One of the lovely features of this trail is the  variety of terrain underefoot from, towpaths, country lanes, forest trails and mountain paths.  Nearing the last section of his trail at Knockbilliniry forest park he meets Dr Janice Fuller from Coillte who talks about the importance of forests in Ireland for recreation, for the protection of our wildlife and their role in protecting against climate change.   

With plenty to think about and the skies opening up he weaves his way through the forest to visit a site of huge national significance from our more recent history.  It  is here at the top that John G.  Dwyer a local historian recounts the fascinating story of Liam Lynch who died in this area during our civil war and tells how his death here effectively brought the Irish civil war to an end.  The place is marked with a memorial where Tommie and John G part ways having shared their love of Irish politics and history.

To finish this trip to Co.Tipperary Tommie walks the rugged and scenic route through the forest and up into the knockmealdowns where he finishes the show with a reflection on all he has seen and heard looking across the rolling landscape and in the shadow on Sliabh na mban.