Mahon Valley Magic Road



A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn Ó

Written over a hundred years ago by gaelic scholar and abbot of Melleray Maurus Ó Faoláin, this song is undoubtedly the “Anthem of the Comeraghs”. A native of Kilrossanty, Father Maurus eulogises the Comeraghs in the first verse, heaping praise on its bright streams, leafy woods, honeyed glens and clear meadows. 


Mo bheannacht óm chroí dod thír is dod shléibhte
A Chomaraigh aoibhinn ó,
Is dod mhuintir shuairc ar dual dóibh féile
A Chomaraigh aoibhinn ó,
Do shrutháin gheala is do choillte craobhach,
Do ghleannta meala is do bhánta léire,
Is grá óm chroí dóibh siúd le chéile
A Chomaraigh aoibhinn ó.


Click on the link and enjoy Karan Casey`s rendition of the song!



Lough Mohra from Knockanaffrin Ridge


Indeed, Father Maurus was speaking for most of us, for nature has certainly blessed us here in Waterford, bestowing on us the magical mountains that are the Comeraghs. For walkers and nature lovers they are an absolute treasure trove with so much to choose from – windswept ridges, squelching peat haggs, towering cliffs, interesting Bronze Age sites, secluded valleys with their whispering streams, brooding coums on cold winter days etc,etc. 



Where are the Comeraghs?

Stretching from the Suir Valley and Kilsheelan Woods in the north to the Mauma Road in the south, and from Ballymacarbry in the west to Mahon Bridge in the east, and covering an area of almost 200 square kilometres, the Comeraghs are visible from most corners of the county from Clonmel in the north west to Tramore in the south east. They are very much a touchstone for most Déise people, their natural beauty awakening in us a strong sense of place and pride and inculcating in us a distinct sense of identity. “Where the Comeraghs are keeping a watch oer the sea”, as May French`s song goes, is very definitely where most Déise hearts want to be.

A number of books have been written about the Comeraghs with Declan McGrath`s “A Guide to the Comeragh Mountains” being particularly informative. The aim of this blog is to publish a new post every fortnight (hopefully!) about some aspect of these fascinating mountains, with a view to eventually perhaps setting up a website. If people feel like contacting me with some suggestions or titbits of information please do so.

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