The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany
Pilgrim Path · Wexford and Carlow
The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany is a 50.1 km moderate waymarked linear route in Wexford and Carlow, starting near Myshall.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Moderate | Moderate | 10 hours |
Getting there
Starts at Nine Stones carpark on Mount Leinster, near Myshall.
Finishes at Magany Bridge.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.63697, -6.79379
- Irish Grid reference
- S 81698 54624
- Ordnance Survey sheets
- Discovery Series Sheet 61 & 68
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
Public transport serves the town of Bunclody (Bus Eireann Expressway). A new bus route serving New Ross – Carlow Town three times daily with three stops in St Mullins is expected to commence in May/June 2023. Iarnroid Eireann serves Bagenalstown Railway Station with hackney services available to the start of the walk at the Nine Stones.
About the trail
The Columban Way walk in County Carlow gives visitors the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational sixth century monk St Columbanus, who was born at the foot of Mount Leinster. The Carlow walk joins the finished route at Bangor, County Down as part of a wider national and European Columban Way. A journey of discovery, the walk offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature, appreciate our rich biodiversity and enjoy their own personal journey of reflection and contemplation along the stunning landscapes of the River Barrow and the Blackstairs Mountains. It is a spiritual and pilgrim trail that connects towns and villages in County Carlow and Wexford who have a deep appreciation of the lasting legacy of St Columbanus in this area, bringing together communities of different faiths and cultural traditions. Modelled on the Camino de Santiago, it features historical sites and landscapes of early Christian Ireland. In Carlow the route travels from the sixth century ecclesiastical site of St Mullins along the Barrow Way, and in County Wexford from the town of Bunclody, both to the official start of the walk at the Nine Stones, Mount Leinster on the Blackstairs Mountains, through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. From there it descends into the village of Myshall before travelling along quiet country roads to reach the town of Bagenalstown. Here it rejoins the Barrow Way to Leighlinbridge and Carlow to reach County Kildare. Once fully developed, the Columban Way in Ireland will stretch for some 530km through Wexford, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh Armagh and Down.
- Waymarking
- Columban Way Markers
- Dogs
- Yes
Who manages it
Carlow County Council/Myshall Muintir na Tíre
Carlow County Council |email: [email protected] | Tel: 059-9170300
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Kilbrannish South - Short Loop 2.7 km away · 6.5 km trail
- John's Hill Loop 3.4 km away · 11 km trail
- Kilbrannish North to Kilbrannish South Trail 3.4 km away · 14 km trail
- Kilbrannish Loop 3.4 km away · 5.1 km trail
- Windfarm Loop 3.4 km away · 3.2 km trail
- Kiltealy Ballycrystal Trail 4.8 km away · 4.2 km trail
Common questions
How long is The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany?
50.1 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. It climbs 410 m in total. Sport Ireland estimates 10 hours.
How hard is The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany?
Sport Ireland grades it Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany start?
Starts at Nine Stones carpark on Mount Leinster, near Myshall. The trailhead is at 52.63697, -6.79379 (Irish Grid S 81698 54624).
Can you bring a dog on The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany?
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 Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany without a car?
Public transport serves the town of Bunclody (Bus Eireann Expressway). A new bus route serving New Ross – Carlow Town three times daily with three stops in St Mullins is expected to commence in May/June 2023. Iarnroid Eireann serves Bagenalstown Railway Station with hackney services available to the start of the walk at the Nine Stones.
Who manages The Columban Way - Nine Stones to Magany?
Carlow County Council/Myshall Muintir na Tíre. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Wexford and Carlow
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.