It leaves the M7 and loops around the Arra Mountains between the hills and Lough Derg returning to what was the N7 in Nenagh.

After leaving the N7 at Birdhill it heads north to meet the River Shannon at Ballina, where the single lane signal controlled Killaloe Bridge connects it to Killaloe and the R463 on the western bank of the river in County Clare.

There is a 'Lookout' point here with extensive views of the lake and the eastern hills of County Clare.

The road next turns eastwards through the villages of Portroe and Newtown before joining the N52 Nenagh bypass as a roundabout junction.

It continues into the centre of Nenagh and terminates at the R445 (the former N7 main Dublin - Limerick national route.