Derryounce Bog Oak Walk
Walking Trail · Laois and Offaly
Derryounce Bog Oak Walk is a 10.5 km moderate waymarked loop in Laois and Offaly, starting near Portarlington.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | – |
Getting there
Starts at Car park on the L7178 Bog Road, near Portarlington.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.16496, -7.19093
- Irish Grid reference
- N 54155 12998
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheets 55
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.
Public transport
Train station in Portarlington. Bus stop in Portarlington serviced by numerous major providers.
About the trail
Derryounce Bog was originally purchased by Bord na Móna and developed as part of their greater Clonsast group of bogs in the mid-20th Century. The bog was cut for sod peat by Bord na Móna over several decades with peat supplying the old power station at Portarlington. The remaining cutaway bog was planted with a conifer plantation by Coillte. Industrial peat production ceased in the 1980s. With the lowering of ground levels during peat production, a basin was created in the central area. After peat production ceased, this area flooded permanently after pumps were turned off to empty the basin. The flooded area is now known as Lough Lurgan. There is an area of dry grassland and wood on a small hill to the west of Derryounce Lake. This area is known as Nugent’s Hill and maps from the turn of the 20th Century show evidence of human habitation there together with a well and a spring. The well was clearly important in the locality as there are paths leading from it across Derryounce Bog to Portarlington, Monavane and Cushina. Local anglers also confirm the presence of springs in Lough Lurgan. Derryounce Lake was formed artificially through the digging of a hollow down to the sand layer below the peat. Some of this sand was deposited at the edge of the lake and it now forms an unofficial inland beach often frequented by families and individuals in summer months. PCDA regards Derryounce Walks and Lakes as a valuable asset for the town and hinterland. The area already offers ample opportunity for local residents to walk and recreate in. It is used by a wide variety of people, including walkers, anglers, naturalists, photographers and people who want to experience its peace, tranquility and Scandinavian vistas. These two lakes, together with the surrounding wetland vegetation and forestry areas, form the core of the amenity area known as Derryounce Lakes and Walkways, leased by PCDA from Bord na Móna.
- Waymarking
- Red arrow on white background
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Portarlington Community Development Association
Email: [email protected]
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Derryounce Bog Lake Walk 0 m away · 5.6 km trail
- Garryhinch - Barrow walk 5.1 km away · 3.3 km trail
- Garryhinch - Garryhinch loop 5.1 km away · 3.7 km trail
- Ballydermot/Killyguise Loop 15 km away · 3.8 km trail
- Carrigmeal Woodlands Loops - Milo's Circuit 16 km away · 0.6 km trail
- Carrigmeal Woodlands Loops - Sheep's Walk Trail 16 km away · 0.4 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk?
10.5 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register.
How hard is the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk start?
Starts at Car park on the L7178 Bog Road, near Portarlington. The trailhead is at 53.16496, -7.19093 (Irish Grid N 54155 12998).
Can you bring a dog on the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk?
Yes. The register records dogs as allowed. Much of the Irish trail network crosses working farmland, so keep a dog under close control near livestock.
Can you get to the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk without a car?
Train station in Portarlington. Bus stop in Portarlington serviced by numerous major providers.
Who manages the Derryounce Bog Oak Walk?
Portarlington Community Development Association. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Laois and Offaly
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.