Comeragh Mountains Magic

The origin of the word Comeraghs Where does the name “Comeraghs” come from? When did it begin to be used widely as the placename for the mountains of north Waterford? Now there be two 64,000 dollar questions! Let`s look at the two main ideas out there as to the origin of the name. Com na Locha in the Nire The main language spoken in Ireland from late prehistoric times down to the late 19th century was Irish or Gaelic. This of course is a Celtic language and linguists tell us that the Celts were fond of naming places around them with words from the natural world. The word “com” in Irish means marshy hollow (often created by glaciers) and since there are at least fourteen marshy hollows hewn into the mountains of north Waterford, perhaps the name “Comeraghs” evolved from this Celtic/Gaelic root word. The Welsh (also Celtic) word for a glacial hollow is “cwm”, very similar to the Irish one. Given that many Déisi emigrated from Waterford to south Wales in the early centuries A.D., and th

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! A Chomaraigh Aoibhinn O (Sweet Comeraghs) -Karan Casey - YouTube 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 walk