Ancient Highway of the Decies
Map of the Rian Bó Phádraig
This is a map showing the Rian Bó Phádraig. The route starts in Ardmore in Waterford, continues on to Lismore, leading into Tipperary, then crosses the river Suir at Ardfinnan and finishes at Cashel.
Map of the Rian Bó Phádraig
Map of the Rian Bó Phádraig
This is a map showing the Rian Bó Phádraig. The route starts in Ardmore in Waterford, continues on to Lismore, leading into Tipperary, then crosses the river Suir at Ardfinnan and finishes at Cashel.
The Rian runs a distance of around 84 kilometers from Ardmore in Co. Waterford, through Lismore and up to Cashel in Co. Tipperary.
Originally, the Rian was not the kind of tarmacadam, steamrolled road we are used to today. Rather, it was a simple country track linking the ancient church centres of Ardmore and Cashel.
In early Christian times, there were main roads from provincial capitals to outlying parts of a province. Although people did not generally travel very far, some travelled within their local towns and provinces. Those who travelled further afield were fewer in number than they are today.
The Decies and St. Declan
Round Tower and Cathedral at Ardmore
Round Tower and cathedral ruin at Ardmore, built near the site of St. Declan's monastery.
Round Tower and Cathedral at Ardmore
Round Tower and Cathedral at Ardmore
Round Tower and cathedral ruin at Ardmore, built near the site of St. Declan's monastery.
Waterford is known locally as 'The Decies'. Some records indicate that sometime between the fourth and eighth centuries, a group from a tribe of native Irish called the Déisi were driven from the southern parts of the country to Waterford. They decided and settle in the area.
St. Declan is one of the four bishops who came to Ireland in the fifth century, and was in Ireland before St. Patrick. He introduced Christianity to the Decies and founded the monastery at Ardmore in Waterford. Early traditions speak of St. Declan driving his chariot from Ardmore to Cashel. In fact, a stretch of the Rian is named after St. Declan, as we will discover.