Scaling the ancient heights of Cnoc na dTobar

THERE’S few destinations where you feel as though you’re on top of the world quite like Cnoc na dTobar near Cahersiveen where a centuries-old pilgrim’s pathway has been carefully and beautifully restored - thanks to a proud community spirt older than the pathway itself.

“The walk is going extremely well and nowadays people want to connect and look for experiences that are beyond sitting in their cars. We’re certainly having a lot of Irish visitors and what’s great about it is that they are staying locally which is great,” said Cormac Dineen.

In 2014, the pilgrim path was restored by the rural social community scheme and the fourteen Stations of the Cross on the path were painted with ‘way markers’ placed along the path. The six metre high Canon’s Cross was also repaired by volunteers. The entire project has also been enhanced thanks to local farmer, Johnny O’Connor, who kindly provided a car park which has contributed enormously to visitor numbers.

Back in April, chairman of Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, John O’ Dwyer, launched the ‘pilgrim passport’ making Cnoc na dTobar part of a group of historic medieval destinations that include, St Kevin’s Way, St Finbarr’s Path, Tóchar Phádraig and Cosán na Naomh.

“You could put a story to many pilgrim paths in this region, it’s just that we developed this one first. It’s one of 13 pilgrim trips listed in Ireland and we’re in good company. What we’re trying to do is re-establish this pilgrim tradition which is older than Christianity itself. The addition of the car park is also hugely beneficial and Johnny O’Connor has worked generously to provide it. There are now PLC courses running at the O’Connell Centre in Cahersiveen for Business and Tourism and in the very near future we will have local history guides available to take people up the mountain on guided tours,” Cormac concluded.

Frank McGill and Johnny Keating at the Canon’s Cross, Cnoc na dTobar.