The details below contain lots of information about Walks & Other Outdoor Activities in the Keady, Armagh and nearby areas including: two Keady Town Heritage Trails of 2.22 and 4 miles; lots more family and short walks; Forest Walks; the Keady Hill, Lakes, Rivers and Mills Historic Walk, a 21 - 27 miles walk through and around Keady Town in County Armagh - full details of this walk at Keady-Historic-Walk; Forest Walks; Armagh City Walks; ParkRuns; Scenic Drives and Cycles; Long-Distance Footpaths; Ring of Gullion; Newry Canal Towpath & Further Afield; Picnic Areas; Old Churches; Graveyards and more.

Keady Town Heritage Trails

1.     Keady Town Heritage Trail (long) 4 miles.

2.     Keady Town Heritage Trail (short) 2.22 miles.

For convenience and parking, both start Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC), 7 The Cow Fair, Keady, Armagh BT60 3TD (see Map).

Keady Town Walks

Below are a few suggestions of local walks, varying from 1.32 miles to 4.65 miles. For convenience they all start at the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC), 7 The Cow Fair, Keady, Armagh BT60 3TD (see Map). These and others can be mixed and matched to produce a route to suit you.

1. Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Kinelowen Street, St Patrick’s Chapel, Keady School, Madden Row, Market Street, Keady Mill and Bridge Street 1.32 miles (download GPX map at 1.32 mile Keady Walk)

2. Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Brdge Street, Kinelowen Street, Market Street, Church Street, Castleblayney Road, Davis Street, Bridge Street and The Square 1.4 miles (download GPX map at 1.4 mile Keady Walk)

3.     Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Keady Mill, Kinelowen Street, Crossmore Road, Keady School, Madden Road, Market Street and Bridge Street 1.55 miles (download GPX map at 1.55 mile Keady Walk)

4. Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Caramoyle, Keady/Annvale Glen, Glen Road, Playpark, The Glen and Keady Mill (this is similar to above route, but cuts through Keady/Annvale Glen, follows Glen Road to Playpark and footpath through The Glen to Keady Mill. It’s more scenic and has less pavement) 2.05 miles (download GPX map at 2.05 mile Keady Walk)

5.     Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Caramoyle, Annvale, Tassagh Road, Kinelowen Street and Bridge Street 2.1 miles (download GPX map at 2.1 mile Keady Walk)

6. Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Caramoyle, Keady/Annvale Glen, Glen Road, Playpark, The Glen and Keady Mill (this is similar to above route, but takes in a full circle of Keady/Annvale Glen, is more scenic and has less pavement) 2.8 miles (download GPX map at 2.8 mile Keady Walk)

7.     Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Caramoyle, Tassagh Road, Batchelors Walk, Armagh Road, Kinelowen Street and Bridge Street 3.7 miles (download GPX map at 3.7 mile Keady Walk)

8.     Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) via Caramoyle, Tassagh Road, Batchelors Walk, Armagh Road, Crossmore Road, Keady School, Madden Row, Market Street and Bridge Street 4.65 miles (download GPX map at 4.65 mile Keady Walk).  

Keady Hill, Lakes, Rivers and Mills, Historic Walk

21 - 27 mile walk through the Hills, along the Rivers, past the Mills and around the Lakes of Keady Village in County Armagh. Full details of this walk at Keady-Historic-Walk 

For convenience the walk is divided into three parts. The first two end at bus stops where there is just a 5-minute ride back to Keady.

1.     Keady to Tassagh Bridge, 7.7 miles (and up to 8.35 miles)

2.     Tassagh Bridge to Darkley, 6.15 miles (and up to 11.2 miles)

3.     Darkley to Keady (via lakes), 6.9 miles

Forest Walks

1.  Keady / Annvale Glen – there is a small car park at Annvale Road, Keady, Armagh BT60 2RP. This glen has 1 mile of wooded, riverside footpaths (see Map).

Videos:

1. Afternoon Walk in Keady Glen in Autumn.

2. A Morning Summer Walk in Keady Glen.

2.  Darkley Forest – has a small car park, picnic area and Fairy Village at 27 Mountain Lodge Road, Darkley, Armagh BT60 3BT (nearest)(see Map)., plus 2.86 miles of paths in two overlapping walking trails:

1.     Aughnagurgan Trail (1.4 miles) at WalkNI Aughnagurgan-Trail

2.     Mountain Lodge Trail (1.9 miles) at WalkNI Mountain-Lodge-Tail

3.  Carnagh Forest Park, Castleblayney Road, Keady, Armagh BT60 3HT (nearest)(see Map). Walks: This has a Play Park, Picnic Area, Car Park and three waymarked walks: 2 miles, 0.9 miles and 0.6 miles.

1.    Carnagh Forest - Boundary Trail (2 miles) at WalkNI Carnagh-Forest-Boundary-Trail

2.     Carnagh Forest – Carnagh Lake Trail (0.9 miles) at WalkNI.Carnagh-Lake-Trail

3.     Carnagh Forest – Jointy’s Lake Trail (0.6 miles) at WalkNI-Jointys-Lake-Trail

4.  Segahan Dam, Picnic area and Reservoir Car Park, Ballymacawley Road, Armagh BT60 2EZ (nearest)(see Map). There is a 2.25 mile looped walk around the reservoir. See more at GetActiveabc Seagahan-Dam.

Armagh City Walks

1.    The Robinson Trail - 4 mile walk around Armagh to see some of its historical buildings, including those commissioned by and associated with Church of Ireland Archbishop Richard Robinson. GPX map at MapMyWalk.The Robinson Trail

2.     The Mall – parking is around the outside wall. There are areas to picnic, lots to see, historic buildings, museums, etc. - a lap inside the wall of The Mall is 1km and is traffic free. Do as many laps as you wish. See more at GetActiveabc The-Mall

3.     Armagh Observatory Astropark – Armagh Observatory, Astropark, College Hill, Armagh BT61 9BD (see Map) - hilly walk around the grounds of Armagh Observatory with lots of sculptures, artworks, plus learn about the Solar System and the Universe. Picnic areas and car park. See more at www.armagh.space

4.     Armagh Palace Demesne Park – lots of choice in this large public park. There is a Play Park, Outdoor Gym, parkrun, picnic areas, walks and a Sensory Garden. See more at Getactiveabc The-Palace-Demesne

5.     The Old Road from Emain Macha to Ard Macha (Navan Fort to Armagh Church of Ireland Cathedra) 2.1 miles. GPX Map at MapMyWalk - Armagh to Navan Fort

6.     Navan Centre and Fort, Navan Fort Visitor Centre, 81 Killylea Rd, Armagh BT60 4LD (see Map). The walk to and back from the base of the fort is an accessible, flat mile. The climb up the fort is hilly and there is lots to see. The Visitor Centre has parking, toilets, a café, gift shop, cinema, large foyer and disabled facilities. There’s a living exhibition of how life was in Celtic Times and picnic benches in the grounds. See more at Places-to-explore Navan-Fort

7.     Folly Glen, 15E Dobbins Grove, Armagh BT60 1BG (see Map). Located in Armagh City, Folly Glen covers an area of 23.9 acres. This park is suitable for walking. See more at Folly-Glen-Armagh

Other Outdoor Areas in and near Keady Town

The Glen Play Park and Picnic Area, Glen Road, Keady, Armagh BT60 3UA (see Map).

Carrigatuke Viewpoint, Armaghbrague. Grid Ref. H 90354 32060 (see Map). At 1,200ft this is the highest point in the Fews Forest (aka. Sliabh Fuait) with great views in all directions - see PeakVisor Carrigatuke (be patent as it takes a few seconds to load). 

Tullynawood Lake (car park) Grid Ref. H 85877 29871 (postcode BT60 3BS - nearest)(see Map).

Old Churches & Graveyards

Old Churches & Graveyards are usually well-maintained by the local council, provide a good place to explore and suitable for picnics, but please show respect and leave clean and tidy after you.

Tassagh Old Graveyard, 27 Dundrum Rd, Tassagh, Armagh BT60 2PZ (see Map). Videos: 1. "Tassagh Old Graveyard". 2. "Tassagh Old Graveyard in Photos".

Derrynoose Old Church and Graveyard, Listarkelt Rath, Listrakelt Road, Derrynoose, Armagh BT60 3DP (nearest) (see Map). Video: "Derrynoose Old Graveyard and St. Mochua’s Holy Well". St. Mochua’s Holy Well, Fergot Road, Derrynoose, Keady, County Armagh, BT60 3DP (see Map)

Ballymacnab Old Church & Graveyard, Newtownhamilton Road, Ballymacnab, Armagh BT60 2QR (see Map). Video: "Ballymacnab Old Graveyard".

Granemore Old Chapel & Graveyard (aka St Mary's Chapel on the Hill), Granemore, Armagh BT60 2NJ (see Map). Video: "Granemore Old Chapel & Graveyard".

Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly 5km community event held on Saturday mornings. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

There are two parkruns with a 10 miles radius of Keady.

1.     Armagh parkrun: Parking at Armagh Palace, Palace Demesne, Armagh BT60 4EN (see Map)..

2.     Castleblayney parkrun: Parking at Black Island, Muckno Street, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan (see Map).

Events

Camino Mhacha. A 25 mile Camino Mhacha trek from Mullaghbawn to Armagh City. On the first weekend of August 2020, the inaugural Camino Mhacha was held, a 25.5 mile walk through a land steeped in myth and legend. Following in the footsteps of Cú Chulainn, Camino Mhacha begins in the Ring of Gullion, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with walkers departing from the village of Mullaghbane. Winding its way through glens and hills, the Camino follows a route of stunning landscape and natural beauty culminating in Armagh City, where a heroes’ feast awaits walkers at Aonach Mhacha.

If you wish to be involved with the working group or have suggestions for Camino Mhacha you can let us know at this email address caminomhacha@gmail.com

 Scenic Drives, Cycles, Long-Distance Footpaths & Further Afield

1.  The Great Road of the Fews – 28.26 miles (scenic drive or cycle). For full information see  Great-Road-of-the-Fews (see Map of start).

2.  Newry Canal Towpath – 20 miles (cycle or walk). The Newry Canal Towpath Tour has 34 stops along the canal, from Point of Whitecoat (see Map), south of Portadown to Dublin Bridge at Newry. Each one has a podcast telling the history and showing photos – see more at Newry-Canal-Towpath-Tour Moneypennys-Lock

3.  Saint Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim Walk is a 132km (82 mile) trail connecting Navan Fort to Armagh and onto Downpatrick via Gosford Park, Clare Glen, Tandragee, Newry Canal Towpath, Scarva, Poyntzpass, Newry, Rostrevor, Mourne Mountains, Tullymore Forest Park, Newcastle and Dundrum. Read more about this walk at Saint-Patricks-Way-The-Pilgrim-Walk. (see Map of start).

4.  Ring of Gullion Way - The Ring of Gullion Way is a 37.9-mile circular walk which starts and finishes at Newry. It is divided into 6 sections. Note: The alternative route I suggest you use adds up to 40.77 miles, but this is because of a diversion to avoid a closure and some suggested modifications to improve the route, to make each section roughly the same distance and to start and finish at the same place. (see Map of the start and the finish). Also, for a long distance walk, the distances of the sections do not make sense. Reviews and videos show some parts are not maintained leaving them unpassable, plus some of the roads used are potentially dangerous. 

        1. Dublin Bridge, Newry to Flagstaff Viewpoint (5.1 miles). Download a GPX map of the route at Ring of Gullion Way 1. Note: An alternative route via Carlingford Lough Greenway would be a lot safer and probably more enjoyable (the distance is the same at 5.1 miles) - Download GPX map at Ring of Gullion Way 1 suggested alternative route (see Map of start of this section). I would also merge section 1 and section 2 into one walk of 11.8 miles.

        2. Flagstaff Viewpoint to Ravensdale Forest (6.7 miles).  Download a GPX map of this walk at Ring of Gullion Way 2 (see Map of start of this section).      

3. Ravensdale Forest to Forkhill (9.82 miles). Download a GPX map of this walk at Ring of Gullion Way 3 (see Map of start of this section). Note: At present this route is not useable between 4.45 miles and 6.06 miles, so I have drawn a map to suggest an alternative between these two points. Download GPX map of suggested alternative route at Ring of Gullion Way Alternative Route 3 (10.15 miles). Note: The current route between 4.45 miles and 6.06 miles, if cleared, would improve this section.

Sections 4 and 5 are both very short and seem out of place in a long distance walk. Also, the go around the mountain (Slieve Gullion) and not over it, which seems a complete waste. My suggestion would be to go over the mountain and merge both 4 and 5 into one section. This would be 10.2 miles - Download GPX map of suggested changes Forkhill to Camlough Forest Route. 

4. Forkhill to Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre (5.84 miles). Download a GPX map of this walk at Ring of Gullion Way 4 (see Map of start of this section). Sections 4 and 5 are both very short 

        5. Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre to Camlough Forest (3.8 miles). Download GPX map of this walk at Ring of Gullion Way 5 (see Map of start of this section).

6. Camlough Forest to Newry Train Station (7.19 miles) Download GPX map of this walk at Ring of Gullion Way 6  (see Map of start of this section). Note: When I started reading about the Ring of Gullion Way, I thought it was a circular walk, starting and finishing at the same place. However, this is not the case as it finishes at Newry Railway Station and the last half mile to the station is pretty grim. So, I have drawn an alternative route, which after 6.64 miles which uses the Newry Canal Towpath to make it a truly circular route. This extends the walk distance by 1.74 miles to 8.95 miles. Download a GPX map of my suggested section 6 of the walk Camlough Forest to Dublin Bridge (8.95 miles) at Camlough Forest to Dublin Bridge Newry.

For more details, reviews, maps and thoughts about the Ring of Gullion Way see Ring-of-Gullion-Way.

5. Slieve Gullion Forest Park Drive, 89 Drumintee Road, Meigh, Newry BT35 8SW (start of)(see Map). See more at Slieve-Gullion-Forest-Park-Drive.

6. Slieve Gullion Circular Walk (8.7 mile), Slieve Guillion Courtyard, 89 Drumintee Road, Meigh, Newry BT35 8SW (see Map of start). There’s a Visitor Information Centre, a Café, the Giant’s Lair, an Adventure Playpark, walks, a scenic drive and more. Download a GPX Route of this walk at Slieve Gullion Circular Walk. 

7. The Giants Lair Story Trail (0.9 mile), Slieve Gullion Visitors Centre,,89 Drumintee Road, Meigh, Newry BT35 8SW. See more at: The-Giants-Lair-Childrens-Story-Trail - this has a video, plus the photo at the top is courtesy of this link.

Scenic Drive - Things to See

Use the map below to create your very own scenic drive. There are lots of old buildings and ancient monuments to see in Keady Town and in the areas surrounding. The countryside you pass through is also very beautiful - so don't be afraid to be imaginative.

A video at YouTube "Landmarks round Keady Co. Armagh" gives just a few examples of what you'll see.