St Kevin's Way - Getting to Hollywood

Judge

Looking at trying to walk St Kevin's Way sometime next month. Obviously being a linear trail I can't use the car. Returning to Dublin from Glendalough is easy thanks to the St Kevin's Bus service. But what about getting to the start in Hollywood? Is there a bus service? If not, I assume the best bet is to get the 65 bus to Blessington and get a taxi. Is there a taxi rank/office in Blessington?

Alun

There are two BE services that go past it (132 and 5) but I've no idea if they stop there. Only stop mentioned on the timetable between Blessington and Baltinglass is at Annalecky Cross, wherever the hell that is.

Donny5

Judge wrote: »

Looking at trying to walk St Kevin's Way sometime next month. Obviously being a linear trail I can't use the car. Returning to Dublin from Glendalough is easy thanks to the St Kevin's Bus service. But what about getting to the start in Hollywood? Is there a bus service? If not, I assume the best bet is to get the 65 bus to Blessington and get a taxi. Is there a taxi rank/office in Blessington?

You could call Blessington Taxis on 087 8197716 (if they're still going). I think they aren't based in Blessington itself, they're in one of the little villages around there, so best call ahead. You could also walk it, if you're on a budget. It'd take a couple of hours.

Judge

Thanks folks. Annalecky Cross seems to be further south near Dunlavin. It seems a bit mad there isn't also a stop at Hollywood Cross since the buses on those routes will have to pass through it. I might call them and see if it's possible to request a stop.

Donny, since the Way is 30km+ there's no way I'm adding another few hours walk! I'll try that cab company, thanks.

Alun

Judge wrote: »

Thanks folks. Annalecky Cross seems to be further south near Dunlavin. It seems a bit mad there isn't also a stop at Hollywood Cross since the buses on those routes will have to pass through it. I might call them and see if it's possible to request a stop.

Yes, it does seem a bit mad, doesn't it. Hollywood is a reasonable sized village after all.

Donny5

Judge wrote: »

Donny, since the Way is 30km+ there's no way I'm adding another few hours walk! I'll try that cab company, thanks.

No worries, although it's worth noting that while the total length of the St. Kevin's Way tracks are about 32km, the walk from Hollywood to Glendalough is only about 26km. This is because there are two possible start points, the one at Hollywood and another at Valleymount. The routes join on the R756 near Ballinagee Bridge.

The Valleymount start point is even to Blessington than Hollywood, about 9km away, and mostly flat, and the length of St. Kevin's Way to Glendalough from Valleymount is only about 19km, totalling 28km. Walking to Valleymount from Blessington is a nice enough walk, too, along quietish roads.

Judge

Thanks Donny, I hadn't realised it was that much shorter although walking to Hollywood still seems a bit much.

I know there is an alternative trailhead from Valleymount but I'm set on starting from Hollywood.