Active Agers head to Kilmaley

The rain did not stop the 20 enthusiastic walkers who headed off from Kilmaley GAA club last Thursday for a 7.5km looped walk, taking a brief detour to see the stunning cascades.

A huge thanks to our group member Gerry O’Malley for helping to plan the walk and also a huge thanks to the Kilmaley GAA club for allowing us to use the complex for a much needed hot cuppa on our return.

Our next walk will take place on Thursday 31st May in Whitegate in East Clare.

 

“Heaven on Earth”

Ballycuggaran, Killaloe East Clare Way

16 eager walkers put on their hiking boots last Saturday, 21st April, to ‘Battle Ballycuggaran’ – a 6km looped walk along part of the East Clare Way.

This guided walk was organised to highlight and promote the activities available on/near the Lough Derg Blueway. The Blueways in Ireland are a set of multi activity trails and sites which are closely linked with the water. The Lough Derg Blueway encompasses a series of Blueway paddling trails with many complimentary walking and cycling trails.

The Ballycuggaran Looped Walk  starts at Two-Mile-Gate, just outside Killaloe. The walk follows forest road, forest track and minor road through dense forest and open hillside on the shoulders of Feenlea Mountain and Crag. The beautiful expanse of Lough Derg lies below you.

It would not have been possible to have better weather for this walk. The sun shone down, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the views were spectacular.

It was such an enjoyable walk that I think we will have to organise another guided walk at some stage during the Summer months, so watch this space! However, if you would like to try this walk yourself, here is a link to a map of the walk. 

 

Guided Walk on the Lough Derg Blueway – Saturday April 21st @ 11am:

Ballycuggaran, Killaloe East Clare Way

Want to experience the Lough Derg Blueway? Come along and enjoy a free Guided Walk on the Ballycuggaran Loop, along the East Clare Way walking route, where you will see the beautiful expanse of Lough Derg beneath you.
This walk is 7km and follows forest road, forest track and minor road through dense forest and open hillside on the shoulders of Feenlea Mountain and Crag. Please bring suitable walking shoes/boots, waterproof clothing and fluid. MEETING POINT: Two-Mile-Gate, Killaloe @ 11am.

Click here for a detailed map of the walk

Guided Walks for Active Agers (Over 50’s) – Thursday 15th March 2018

Due to current weather warnings in place, the Clare Walks Ltd. Guided Walk in Tulla will NOT go ahead as planned tomorrow (Thursday 1st March). We have re-scheduled this walk for Thursday 15th March 2018 at 11am. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

This guided walk will now take place on Thursday 15th  March 2018 at 11am near Tulla.

This walk will start at Ardboula Farmhouse which lies 4km from Tulla town. Ardboula Farmhouse is an 18th Century beautifully refurbished farmhouse located within a 33 hectare working cattle farm. Owners Christine and Willie O’Brien have been running this as a self-catering business since August 2014. There is free and secure parking at Ardboula Farmhouse.

See directions to Ardboula House here

We will leave Ardboula Farmhouse and follow quiet country roads, which will lead us past rivers, forestry, unspoilt landscape and historical features. This looped walk is just under 9kms and will finish with an optional refreshment stop at Ardboula Farmhouse.

The walk is mostly on flat surface. Please bring suitable walking shoes/boots, waterproof clothing and fluid.

See details of the walk here

For further details contact us on 065 683 5912 or 086 358 6293

info@clarewalks.ie  or Find us on Facebook

Time to Grow

Have you ever wondered how to go about growing your own seeds or starting your own garden? It doesn’t really matter where you live, you can start growing. So why not buy one of our herb gardens hand made from left over wooden pallets?  And check out these useful tips from our neighbours at Irish Seed Savers in Scariff.

Hand Made Herb Gardens – €12.50 each

Come and take a peek……

Some of the fantastic pieces made through our Humble Jumble upcycling project are now on our window display at our office on Main Street, Tulla.

Why not come along and take a peek….

Active Agers Back on Track for 2018

On possibly the driest day we have had so far in 2018, 27 eager walkers showed up in Quin last Thursday to take part in the first guided walk of the year for Active Agers (Over 50’s).

We departed from Quin Hall passing by the 14th century Quin Abbey; the ruins of St. Fineen’s Church and headed towards Ballyhickey, where we passed the remains of the Lead and Silver Mine. Metal was discovered here in 1834 and by 1838, 2,500 tons of ore had been shipped via Clarecastle to Wales for smelting. From here we continued past Clooney-Quin GAA club and bacl to Quin village, walking just under 7kms.

A most enjoyable walk and it was a great novelty to be out walking in dry weather.

The next walk will take place on Thursday 22nd February on part of the East Clare Way (exact route to be confirmed). Hope to see you then.

First Guided Walk of 2018 for Active Agers

Come along and join in our guided walk along part of the Mid Clare Way walking route. We will leave Quin Community Hall, Quin at 11am on Thursday 25th January 2018 (weather permitting) for a 7km walk passing Quin Abbey, St. Fineens Church and Ballyhickey Lead Mine. This walk is mostly on quiet roadways with no hills.

There is an optional coffee stop in Quin when we return.
The walk is primarily for Over 50’s but everyone is welcome. The walk is free/donations are optional. All monies rasied will go towards the future maintenance and upkeep of the East Clare Way & the Mid Clare Way walking routes. Please bring suitable footwear, raingear and water. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Spectacular views over Scariff……………….

Despite the cold, 13 eager walkers headed off from Scariff on Thursday last to walk the Sheaun Loop – approx. 8km. It didn’t take long for us to heat up a little however as we hit some of the inclines on the route but these were so worth the walk as we had the most amazing views over Lough Derg, Holy Island and Scariff town. It was such a beautiful clear day that we could see for miles……..

Afterwards, we had very welcome cups of coffee, bowls of soup and delicious raspberry scones in the Home Cafe. A very enjoyable way to spend a cold morning in East Clare.

You’ll be surprised what you can do with Humble Jumble

Clare Walks Ltd is a not for profit organisation managed by a voluntary board of directors. The organisation oversees the maintenance and general upkeep of the East Clare Way and the Mid Clare Way walking routes, to ensure that they remain an accessible amenity to the general public and tourists alike.

As a way of generating some much needed funds, we have started to up-cycle pieces of furniture which have been donated to our organisation and more recently we have started creating pieces, including household items and decorations, from wooden pallets which have also been donated to us.

Take a look and if there is anything you would like to buy, please contact us  on 065 6835912 or e-mail: info@clarewalks.ie.

Keep an eye on this website or on our Facebook page as more unique creations will be added regularly. Enjoy….