Darby's Bed Loop
Walking Trail · Limerick
Darby's Bed Loop is a 4.8 km moderate waymarked loop in Limerick, starting near Galbally/Mitchelstown.
Note from the trail operator
PLEASE NOTE: This trail has now reopended as of 13th April 2026.
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment CLG before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at The Square, Galbally Village, near Galbally/Mitchelstown.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.40146, -8.29588
- Irish Grid reference
- R 79913 27778
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 73
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
This loop follows forestry roads and tracks and green paths as it takes you to the pinnacle of Deerpark Hill where there is a megalithic passage grave known locally as 'Darby's Bed'. Circling around Deerpark Hill there are fine views of the Ballyhoura and Galtree Mountains from the ruins of a cairn.
- Waymarking
- Purple arrow on white background
- Dogs
- No
Who manages it
Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment CLG
Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment CLG, Main St., Kilfinane, Co. Limerick. Tel: 063-91300 E-mail: [email protected]
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Elsewhere
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Ballyhoura Way - Moor Abbey Loop 1.2 km away · 3 km trail
- Lisvarrinane - Carroll's Loop 4.8 km away · 4.4 km trail
- Lisvarrinane - Dolmen Loop 4.8 km away · 9.8 km trail
- Lisvarrinane - Padraig's Loop 4.8 km away · 6.7 km trail
- Knockcarron - Golden Mile Loop 5.1 km away · 2.5 km trail
- Knockcarron - Lakelly Loop 5.1 km away · 3.4 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Darby's Bed Loop?
4.8 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 190 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours 30 minutes.
How hard is the Darby's Bed Loop?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Darby's Bed Loop start?
Starts at The Square, Galbally Village, near Galbally/Mitchelstown. The trailhead is at 52.40146, -8.29588 (Irish Grid R 79913 27778).
Can you bring a dog on the Darby's Bed Loop?
No. The register records dogs as not allowed on this trail.
Who manages the Darby's Bed Loop?
Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment CLG. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Limerick
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.