Walk the Canon Sheehan Loop
A 7.6km loop (blue arrow on white waymarks) starts and finishes at the Glenanair car park, climbing about 120m over a moderate 2 to 2.5 hours. Parts of the upper trail have sheer drops beside the path.
Canon Sheehan Loop (Glenanair Forest)
4.5 (75)
About
The Canon Sheehan Loop threads 7.6km of forest track and riverbank through Glenanaar Forest, crossing the Cork–Limerick border twice around a Mass Rock that still hosts the occasional mass.
Things to Do
Rivers, footbridges and the Ogeen
About 300m from the car park a metal bridge opens the loop; the path then follows the left bank of the Ogeen River, crossing footbridges that carry you from County Cork into County Limerick and back again.
The Mass Rock
On the forestry road south through Glenanaar the loop passes a well-preserved Mass Rock, still used for occasional masses and linked to Canon Sheehan's 1905 novel Glenanaar.
Bluebells, woods and wildlife
In May the riverside stretch becomes a haze of bluebells; the woodlands also hide a natural well and a standing stone, and hen harriers hunt these hills.
Blackwater Valley views
After the Mass Rock the trail turns east through Ballintlea, opening fine views over the Blackwater Valley and towards the Nagle and Knockmealdown Mountains.
Picnic site and nearby food
There is a picnic site at the car park but no cafe on site. For a hot meal, Kilfinane is a 15-minute drive (Molly's or Kellehers Pub); Doneraile Wildlife Park's Tea Rooms are about 10 minutes away.
Doneraile Wildlife Park nearby
A 10-minute drive brings you to Doneraile Wildlife Park, 166 hectares of 18th-century landscaped grounds with deer herds, an easy add-on especially for families.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking: Gravel car park at the trailhead, reached by turning off the main road and following the signs to Glenanaar Forest; it is a rural trail so rarely busy.
- Food: No cafe on site, just a picnic site at the car park. Kilfinane (about a 15-minute drive) has Molly's and Kellehers Pub; Doneraile Wildlife Park's Tea Rooms are roughly 10 minutes away.
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