Lough Money, Saul

This is a lovely 10 kilometres walk on old grassy tracks and quiet tarmac roads.  For a map and more statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/saul-lough-money-raholp-circuit-a-st-patricks-day-walk-34234850   The walk is classified as moderate, however, be warned the old roads are subject to flooding after rain but doable in boots with gaiters or even water boots.  It is a perfect walk for St.Patrick’s Day as there are so many connections with his life and times here over 1500 years ago.

We started in Saul grid reference 513465 on Discoverer Map Series 21, and parked at the famous old pub, Paddy’s Barn, another great slice of social history and an excellent spot to finish your walk.  We walked due east, through the village on the Mearne Road and at the junction with St. Patrick’s Road we stayed right on the Mearne which is now marked as a cul-de-sac.  After, roughly 500 metres we came to an old stone stile beside a gate which gave unto our first old road. We followed this for about 1

kilometre through several gates and stiles.  At a clear intersection, we turned sharp left and climbed slowly uphill between old stone walls to several houses and then, straight ahead, downhill to Lough Money.  We turned right here at a stile beside a metal fence and followed the fisherman’s path along the side of the lough to reach a  car park on the Ballyculter Road.

Looking at the road, we turned left and climbed up to the crest of the hill to find an unnamed road on the left which runs along the other side of the lough.  This road intersects with the Carrowvanny Road at a very distinctive large white house with outbuildings.  We turned left here to complete the circumnavigation of the lough at

an old stone bridge.  At this point, you can turn left and retrace your steps but, since it was St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to go right to reach the hamlet of Raholp and hence the statue and shrine of St. Patrick ( the biggest statue of St. Patrick in the world).  There is a clear road which takes you through a collection of farm buildings, some in use some in ruins.  Then, through a series of gates, on the left, to a gorgeous grassy track which brings you up and downhill to Raholp.

We turned left in the hamlet along St. Patrick’s Road for roughly 2 kilometres, ( there is a footpath) to reach the shrine to St. Patrick.  It’s a steep climb to the top but it’s worth it if not for the enormous statue then for the great views.  From here, it was an easy 1 kilometres walk back to the village of Saul to complete the circuit.