Keady - A Walk thru' History

A 21 - 27 mile walk through the Hills, along the Rivers, past the Mills and around the Lakes of Keady Village in County Armagh.

Keady is a large village in County Armagh, just 7 miles south of Armagh City.  Keady (from Irish: An Céide, meaning 'the flat-topped hill'). The village is surrounded by hills, farmland, forests and beautiful countryside. It sits on the northern edge of the drumlin belt, an area of smooth hills formed during the last ice-age and to the south are the Keady Lakes.

Drumlins define the geography of the area around this walk, and you can find them in many places around the world. However, according to Wikipedia, "a drumlin, from the Irish word droimnín ("littlest ridge"), first recorded in 1833, in the classical sense is an elongated hill in the shape of an inverted spoon or half-buried egg". . 

Many locals here made a living through producing linen in small cottage industries. The already trained workforce, the ideal conditions to grow flax, plus the water from its lakes and rivers, meant this area was perfect to establish an even larger linen industry. During the 18th and 19th centuries many mills were built along the Clea and Callan rivers.

The Clea River flows through the village and the Callan River close by. They merge a mile northeast of Keady by Dundrum Mill. The Callan continues on its way through Tassagh and Armagh City. The Clea is fed by the waters of Clea Lake and the Callan by Tullynawood Lake. In the short distance from their sources to Tassagh Railway Viaduct, through the years, they powered over 40 mills and linen factories. Although, all have since closed there are many relics of this industrial past which employed thousands through the years.

At the centre of the village is the Keady Monument, a memorial to William Kirk who owned the large mills at Darkley and Annvale.

To read more detailed about the start of the linen industry here, see the Keady Section of Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, 1837.

For centuries, Keady has been a centre for Irish Music and Culture. The area is also famous for the unique sport of "Road Bowls", locally known as "bullets".

We start and finish this walk at the Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre, named after a local man who became world famous for his music, but he was just one of many singers, song-writers, musicians, poets, storytellers, and others who added to the history and culture of Keady.

The aim of this walk is to include as many points of history as possible, but at the same time be enjoyable and safe. Wear something visible so you can easily be seen by motorists, but also suitable for the weather conditions. Be respectful to locals, their land and their livestock. 

To read more about the history of the village, visit the Keady entry at Wikipedia, plus you'll learn much more via the writings, videos and links on this website.

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. However, it is down to you on how you wish to approach the walk.

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

There are also optional diversions on Parts 1 and 2 to extend the walk. Part 1 has a short diversion at Keady Glen Park (adds 0.65 miles); Part 2 has a few diversions. Firstly, a short off-road one to visit the old mill ruins at Dundrum (adds 0.65 miles), secondly by using the trails thru' Darkley Forest (adds 2.5 miles), plus a third via the ruins of the Aughnagurgan, Megalithic Tombs (adds 1.9 miles). If you add all the recommended diversions and visit Tassagh Old Graveyard, the total distance will be around 27 miles.

If you intend to do this walk, then please prepare well. Check the weather forecast and dress suitably. I would recommend you wear good walking boots or strong waterproof trainers, Much of the walk is on narrow roads, so your clothes should be easily visible to motorists. Walk where it is safe and you are easily seen. Bring refreshments, snacks, maybe a picnic. You can carry these in a small backpack. Make sure your phone is fully charged. Always respect people's property and land and abide by The Countryside Code. .  

The Interactive Google Map below shows the route of the walk, the mills (or sites where mills once were), lakes, river sources and other points of interest along the route. Each point has information and many have videos. Enlarge the map to view. read and listen. Each section of the walk also has its own GPX map which can be downloaded to a mobile phone or other smart device. To download a GPX map of the "Whole Route" visit link at MapMyWalk.