Distance 2km
Difficulty: This is an easy going looped walk on grass and public roadway (predominantly bitumen and level but broken ground)
Start: Commencing from Faithlegg Church car park notice board
Welcome to Faithlegg. Nicholas Mahon Power, then landlord of the area, built the current church in 1824. In 1873 the Spire and Belfry were added. When repairs were carried out in recent years the following inscription was found on the Bell: “The gift of Nicholas Power ESQ. At whose expense the tower was built. J Murphy Founder Dublin. Michael Broderick Builder Portlaw. Was built Aug 1872”
The Graveyard has won several awards over the years and is lovingly cared for by a voluntary committee. It’s so well known that one local wag quipped “people are dying to visit!”
Well, a visit is worthwhile as there are several unique gravestones and wonderful designs. There are 2 bullaun stones within and has the family plots of the Val Doonican family and Thomas Francis Meagher. It also contains the remains of a man named Dinn who sailed round the world with Captain Cooke. The oldest headstone is for a lady named Fortune nee Foure who has the distinction of two dates of death 1745/6 reflecting the two calendars in use at the time; church and civic.
Another feature is the ruined 13th Century Church. The site contains ruins of two separate churches. The older part is located furthest from the road. This measures 6.8m by 5.2m and has been referred to as the Chancel or Sanctuary. The entrance to this is via a Romanesque style arch which dates it earlier than the main church and belfry beside it. This measures 13m by 6.5m and is in the Venetian Gothic style. Feel free to walk inside and explore.
As you exit the main entrance to the church turn right and on your left come to St Its Well. St Ita, who founded a monastery in Limerick was actually born in Waterford, gave her name to this well as a mark for the Deise tribe, signifing the extent of their domain. Many years back a pattern was held here on Jan 15th. There was reputed to be a rock beside the well which bore the imprint of the baby Jesus’ foot.
If you walk down the chapel road towards Cheekpoint you will come to a T junction, where you turn left and proceed down into the glen. At the bottom of the road you meet another t junction, so turn left.
On your right is an area known in the past as Mount Roberts. It contained the country mansion of the famous Waterford architect John Roberts, designer of such buildings as the Bishops Palace and uniquely, both the catholic and protestant cathedrals in the city.
As you continue along Waterford Port is visable through the trees on the right. The next landmark is Park Rangers Football club. If you keep left at the gates you will enter the old drive to Faithlegg House. The remains of a wrought iron fence can still be partially seen between the trees…this was once know as Lady Olivia’s walk.
Faithlegg House was built in 1783 for Cornelius Bolton, then landlord of the area. A progressive businessman he created several enterprises in the area but profits were slow to emerge and by 1818 he was forced to put Faithlegg House and lands up for sale to repay his debts. Nicholas Mahon Power purchased the house and land in 1819, and at the time was reputed to be the richest commoner in the land. The Power family sold Faithlegg House to the De La Salle Brothers in 1936 and they in turn sold it on to developers in 1985. Eventually, the house was refurbished as a hotel and the lands were converted into a golf course. Nice place for refreshment at this stage should you require it.
If you continue passed the House, you will be walking up the driveway through part of the old demesne of the House where cattle roamed and where the Christian Brothers played hurling and Gaelic football. The grounds were also used for the annual Faithlegg sports day. It’s now part of the golf club.
The hills to your left are the Deerpark and Minaun, but as you walk up you will notice the main gates to the old estate. The Stags head with the cross in its centre is a reference to St Hubert, patron saint of hunters, (and also mathematicians, opticians and metalworkers). One of the four “Holy Marshals” he was considered to protect animals, particularly dogs (the Power family were keen huntsmen). Hubert an avid hunter went out one Good Friday morning into the Ardennes in search of a stag. As he was pursuing his quarry the animal turned with apparently a crucifix standing between its antlers, while he heard a voice saying: “Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, and leadest a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell”. He converted on the spot!
Turn left at the gates and you are now back at your start. We hope you enjoyed the walk. Thanks for coming along. If you want to know any more info about anything we said, just search the blog using a keyword.
Andrew Doherty; Tides and Tales Maritime Community Project. 2024