Suir Blueway - Clonmel Carey’s Slip to Kilsheelan

This easy point-to-point walk follows the Suir Blueway from Carey’s Slip on Kilkenny Road in Clonmel to Kilsheelan, covering 5.9 km / 3.7 mi in about 1 hour. With only 6 m / 20 ft of climbing and a highest point of 19 m / 62 ft, it is a gentle riverside outing suited to a relaxed walk or a straightforward there-and-back if transport is arranged at one end.

The route

From Clonmel the trail heads east along the Blueway corridor towards Kilsheelan, staying low beside the River Suir. The line is broadly level throughout, with 14 m / 46 ft of descent overall, so the walking is more about steady forward progress than climbing. As a point-to-point route it works best with a lift, a second car, or a return walk back to the start for anyone wanting a longer outing.

Terrain and difficulty

The route is short and very flat, making it one of the more accessible outings in the area. Walkers should still expect a shared-use greenway style path and come prepared for exposed stretches beside the river in wet or breezy weather. Comfortable walking shoes are enough for most days, with extra care sensible after rain.

Getting there

The start in Clonmel is easy to reach from town services and transport links. Clonmel railway station is on the Waterford to Limerick Junction line, with onward connections beyond. Clonmel is also served by Bus Éireann county services. For drivers, Clonmel has multiple public car parks, which makes it practical to leave a car in town and finish in Kilsheelan if a pickup is arranged.

Highlights along the way

This section forms part of the wider Suir Blueway Tipperary, a route that links waterside trails and paddling access along the River Suir. The walk gives a close view of the Suir valley landscape on the eastern side of Clonmel, with the river corridor shaping the route all the way to Kilsheelan. At the far end, Kilsheelan sits on the River Suir at the foothills of the Knockmealdown Mountains, which adds a broader mountain backdrop to an otherwise easy lowland walk.

History and setting

The walking and cycling element between Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir forms a riverside trail within the larger Suir Blueway network. That wider route combines land and water access along the Suir, giving this short stage a strong sense of being part of a much longer journey through south Tipperary’s river landscape.