Monaghan Way - Magoney Loop

Monaghan Way - Magoney Loop is an easy 10.1 km / 6.3 mi circuit from Inniskeen Road in Inniskeen, County Monaghan. With just 75 m / 246 ft of climbing and a highest point of 86 m / 282 ft, it is a gentle outing that takes about 2 hours. The route follows a mix of quiet rural lanes, riverside ground and farmland, giving a broad sample of the low rolling landscape around Inniskeen and the River Fane.

The route

This is a loop walk, so it returns to the same starting point on Inniskeen Road. The circuit combines the shorter Inniskeen section of the wider Monaghan Way with an extra stretch through fields and farmland beside the River Fane, before continuing along minor roads through gently undulating countryside. The shape of the walk makes it a good choice for hikers who want a longer local circuit without any major climbs.

Getting there

The walk starts in Inniskeen, a village in south County Monaghan close to the borders with County Louth and County Armagh. The trailhead is by the Patrick Kavanagh Centre area in the village, and the Monaghan Way map marks parking in Inniskeen for walkers joining the route. For anyone arriving by car, Inniskeen is reached by local roads off the R178 corridor between Carrickmacross and Dundalk.

Highlights along the way

A main attraction here is the close contact with the River Fane and the open views across the surrounding farmland. The wider Monaghan Way explores the countryside associated with Patrick Kavanagh, and starting in Inniskeen places the walk beside one of the county's literary landmarks. In the village itself, the round tower and the Patrick Kavanagh Centre add extra interest before or after the hike.

Terrain and difficulty

The modest ascent and low summit height keep this route firmly in easy territory. Hikers can expect a mixture of country roads, field-edge walking and softer ground near the river, so waterproof footwear is useful after wet weather. Because parts of the route use public roads and working farmland, it is best walked with normal road awareness and respect for gates, boundaries and livestock areas.

Waymarking and practical notes

The Monaghan Way uses black posts with yellow directional arrows and walker symbols, with brown signs also used along parts of the route. HiiKER navigation is still worth keeping handy, especially where the loop leaves the village and threads between riverside sections, farmland and minor roads.