Hymany Way
Long Distance Waymarked Way · Galway
Hymany Way is a 98.3 km moderate waymarked linear route in Galway, starting near Portumna.
Notice from the trail operator
Please Note: The section of the Hymany Way trail at Lonnaghton bog is closed until further notice. Please follow diversions in place. The closure is between the following two coordinates at Loonaghton bog: Point 1: 53.449273, -8.352054 and Point 2: 53.453055, -8.345445 or contact the Rural Recreation Officer for further details on 0862622306.
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with Aughrim Development Company before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 3.75 days |
Getting there
Starts at Portumna Bridge, near Portumna.
Finishes at Ballygar.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.09356, -8.20091
- Irish Grid reference
- M 865048
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 40, 47 and 53
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
At Start: Bus Eireann and Kearns Transport serve Dublin and Galway twice daily, and a Local bus service serves the principal towns in the region at weekends. At End: Buses go every half an hour to Dublin and Galway, and further links to anywhere in Ireland can be reached from those points by Bus Eireann and City Link. Bus Eireann goes from Longford to Galway each day at 9.50am and returns at 6.00pm. Boyle Coaches, a private operator, picks up in Ballygar 3 times daily and goes to Galway, returning in the evening. Bus Eireann timetables available at www.buseireann.ie.
About the trail
The Hymany Way, one of a series of 11 sections of the greater Beara Breifne Way, goes in a northerly direction on the western side of the Shannon tracing the epic march of O Sullivan Bere from the Beara peninsula in January 1603 accompanied by 1,000 followers and reaching O'Rourke's Castle in Leitrim with only 35 people remaining. Of particular significance was the Shannon crossing in depths of winter. The Hymany Way traverses the most beautiful and least explored of local areas with its watercourses, including the biodiversity of the Shannon River and the species rich mosaic of habitats along its banks, cutover and drained and raised bog, forest paths and quiet country roads. The Shannon Callows are famous for their birdlife with internationally important numbers of Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Reed Buntings, and Sedge Warblers. The Callows continues to hold over 40% of the Irish population of the globally endangered Corncrake. The route takes in rich collections of features which will ensure that many walkers will want to linger along the way. Adding enjoyment to the walk are interesting information panels at the Shannon Crossing, Blackloon Castle, Clonfert Cathedral, Meelick Abbey and St. Ruth's Bush, site of the Battle of Aughrim in 1691, the fiercest fight ever fought in Ireland's turbulent and bloody history. At the start of the route, Portumna has ample accommodation both in hotels and guesthouses and at the end of the route in Aughrim accommodation is also available. Ballinasloe can be accessed by bus every half hour or alternatively there is a link into the town at Poolboy. Overnight accomodation is also available along the route in Meelick, Clonfert and Lismany. Ballinasloe is now linked to the Shannon Waterway going directly to Portumna Harbour.
Before you go
This is a farming area so watch out for livestock and electric fences in use at points along the trail.
- Waymarking
- Yellow arrow on black background
- Dogs
- No
Who manages it
Aughrim Development Company
Aughrim Development Company Ltd., Aughrim, Ballinasloe, Co Galway 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.
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island 1.3 km away · 4.75 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Portumna Forest Park 1.3 km away · 12 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Terryglass Harbour 1.3 km away · 3 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Harbour to Portumna Bridge 1.7 km away · 2.5 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Cycling Trail 2.9 km away · 10.3 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Walking Trail 2.9 km away · 10.3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Hymany Way?
98.3 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 3.75 days.
How hard is the Hymany Way?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Hymany Way start?
Starts at Portumna Bridge, near Portumna. The trailhead is at 53.09356, -8.20091 (Irish Grid M 865048).
Can you bring a dog on the Hymany Way?
No. The register records dogs as not allowed on this trail.
Can you get to the Hymany Way without a car?
At Start: Bus Eireann and Kearns Transport serve Dublin and Galway twice daily, and a Local bus service serves the principal towns in the region at weekends. At End: Buses go every half an hour to Dublin and Galway, and further links to anywhere in Ireland can be reached from those points by Bus Eireann and City Link. Bus Eireann goes from Longford to Galway each day at 9.50am and returns at 6.00pm. Boyle Coaches, a private operator, picks up in Ballygar 3 times daily and goes to Galway, returning in the evening. Bus Eireann timetables available at www.buseireann.ie.
Who manages the Hymany Way?
Aughrim Development Company. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Galway
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.