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Calendar of Clare Walks 2024

For the last number of years, we have been taking photos while we are out on the trails and we thought that producing a calendar might be a nice way to share these with you.

You can experience the beauty of the East Clare Way and the Mid Clare Way in the comfort of your own home, or you can get your walking boots on and hit the trails to experience it for yourself!

Most of the pics are courtesy of Brendan, one of our maintenance team and our guided walks leader, and you will see that he knows the best spots.

The calendar is €10 (plus €3 for postage within Ireland). Here is a link to our PayPal account if you would like to get one posted to you – just make sure to include your address. If you would like one posted outside of Ireland, please get in touch with us directly.

All monies raised will go towards the future maintenance of the East Clare Way and Mid Clare Way walking routes.

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Coole Park – a cool place to visit

56 of our Ramblers group headed to the fabulous Coole Park Nature Reserve last week for a guided tour with the very knowledgeable guides, Aine and Jenni.

As well as learning about the history of Coole Park Demense and Lady Gregory and her family, you get to wander through woodland paths following in the footsteps of some of Ireland most renowned writers – WB Yeats, JM Synge, George Bernard Shaw, and Sean O’Casey. The autograph tree which stands near the former site of the great house is an historical monument in itself, containing the autographs of Lady Gregory’s visitors to Coole Park.

Do not leave without a visit to the tea rooms for a home baked tasty treat!

www.coolepark.ie

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A trip to Newmarket on Fergus

30 eager walkers joined us for our guided walk in Newmarket on Fergus on 23rd February last.

We left Newmarket on Fergus town walking towards Mooghaun and continuing to Carrownakilly, before returning to our start point for a well earned cuppa.

We had surprisingly warm weather for this time of the year and we were treated to beautiful birdsong along the way.

Our next guided walk will take place on Thursday 9th March in Flagmount.

If you would like to come along, or find out more, please text or WhatsApp 086 358 6293.

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A walk along the Shannon in O’Brien’s Bridge

We were delighted to see 38 walkers arrive in O’Brien’s Bridge this morning for our ‘Ramblers’ guided walk on the Errinagh Bridge Loop. And the weather could not have been nicer.

We were led by the very knowledgeable Maura Turner, who brought us along the embankment on the Shannon Headrace, taking a slight detour to one of the the old locks on the Killaloe – Limerick canal.

We started our return trip following the old towpath along the River Shannon. Sections of this path have recently been repaired by the local community group.

Arriving back to O’Briens Bridge village, we had a well deserved refreshment stop in B14 coffee shop, offering soup, sandwiches and delicious array of sweet treats.

If you would like to do this walk, it is very well marked – https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/obriensbridge-errinagh-bridge

Our next walk will take place on Thursday 23rd February. If you would like to find out more, please text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.

View from the embankment on the Headrace

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A guided walk in Fanore – and we’ll all be going back for more!

We were joined by 31 walkers last Thursday 1st September for the most amazing walk in Fanore.

The walk was led by Joe Queally, who was born and reared in Fanore, and shared stories of local history and folklore with us.

Joe encouraged us to spend some time lying on the rocks taking time out to forgive ourselves and others who may have hurt us in the past.

Once Joe coaxed us all up from lying peacefully in the sunshine we took off again over limestone rocks and climbing stone walls; it was an adventure to say the least; But we were treated to some tasty brown bread, black pudding and bacon provided by Joe.

We collected €180 in donations on the day towards the RNLI, an essential organisation with which Joe is very involved.

A huge thanks to Joe for leading this amazing walk, and thanks to all those who came along and donated.

Our next walk is on Thursday 15th September just outside the village of Feakle.

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A stroll through Ireland’s former capital, Killaloe

On Thursday last 35 walkers came along to take a stroll through Killaloe and learn a bit about it’s ancient history.

At Beal Ború

Starting at St. Flannan’s Catholic church at the top of the town, which was the former site of Brian Boru’s Royal Palace of Kincora, we walked down the historic main street, along the Canal boardwalk stopping at the Pier Head and Tobermurragh. It was at this Well that Brian Boru’s son Murrough was said to be baptized.

From here we continued to Beal Ború (Brian Boru’s Fort), the homestead of Brian Ború, who became High King of Ireland in 1002. Breaking with tradition he chose to rule the country from Killaloe, making it the capital of Ireland for a period of 12 years.

This 5km looped walk was held in association with the College of Further Education, Scariff – “Researching Sacred Sites along the East Clare Way”, a part-time course for adult learners was run through the College of Further Education in 2021 & 2022. Tobermurragh and Beal Ború were two sites that were researched during this course, the findings of which were presented at the sites on the day.

Thanks to Colette and Cora for the great photos from the day.

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Walking, history and scones in Whitegate

25 eager walkers joined us for a guided looped walk in Whitegate last Thursday, and although we got a little bit (or a lot) wet, it was an enjoyable morning.

This 7km looped walk was held in association with the College of Further Education, Scariff, to celebrate Heritage Week 2022, and we stopped Derrainy Cillín, a children’s burial ground, located in an extremely tranquil setting in Derrainy townland.
“Researching Sacred Sites along the East Clare Way” has been run through the College of Further Education, Scariff in 2021 & 2022 and Derrainy Cillín was one such site that was researched during this course, the findings of which were presented at the site on the day.

We were also lucky to have two very knowledgeable local historians with us to provide some fascinating information along the route – thanks to Tommy Holland and Michael Ryan.

Some curious donkeys and a pony came to say hello on our way back to the Half Barrell in Whitegate, where we got to enjoy fresh homemade scones and endless supplies of tea and coffee.


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A Ramble in Ogonnelloe

We had a fabulous walk in Ogonnelloe on Thursday last with a group of 26 eager walkers. Starting at St. Molua’s Church, we headed for Aughinish point, led by local ladies Anne Forde and Anne O’Driscoll.

From here we walked through some forestry trails, where we were treated to beautiful birdsong along the way.

Returning to quiet road, with great views of Tountinna in Co. Tipperary, we headed back to Ogonnelloe having walked about 6.5kms. We returned to Josie Anne’s Pattesiere for sone tasty lunch and we’ll earned tea and coffee.

Our next walk will take place on Thursday 2nd June – location TBC.

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Be Mindful how you Walk….

I’m sure all you walkers are using this time and this fabulous weather to get out for a stroll!

But in these strange and uncertain times, it may not be the same as we can’t walk with friends or walking buddies, walk in places that we would like to walk (if it’s more than 2km from home), or maybe we are only taking shorter walks than we are used to taking!

Why not start practicing a bit of Mindfulness? Mindfulness is simply tuning your thoughts in to the present moment and what we can see, hear, smell…..it’s basically taking a brief break from worrying about what is happening around us!

Heather growing where there was once a No Parking bollard!

I have been finding it so amazing that even  the country, and the world, is in such turmoil, beautiful new growth continues every day! I have been taking time to pause and look at nature as I walk every day, noticing things that I may not have taken the time to notice before! I even tracked the growth of a fern over 10 days, taking photos of the same bunch every time I walked past!

Day 1 – 1st April

Day 10 – 10th April

You don’t even need to take photos …. just stop for a minute, look around and take a mental note of the marvels of Mother Nature. You won’t be sorry!

Enjoy🌷

 

 

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Ramblers Guided Walks are back for 2020!

Clare Ramblers, Kilkishen, East Clare Way

We had a fabulous walk in Kilkishen yesterday with 32 walkers, and we were blessed with dry weather throughout our 5km loop.

We started at the Cultural Centre in Kilkishen and we would like to say a huge thanks to Mike and the committee for letting us use this stunning building as a base for the morning. For anyone that is interested in the history of the building and the story of it’s restoration, you can read all about it here!

The walk followed quite roads with a few hills, but they only made the cuppa taste even better when we got back to the Cultural Centre.

Thanks to all who walked with us on the day and contributed towards the future maintenance of the East Clare Way and the Mid Clare Way long distance walking routes.

In case you missed the walk, or you would like to do it again, check it our here! For best results, click on the walker icon and then satellite icon.

Our next Ramblers Guided Walk will take place in Flagmount on Thursday 27th February at 11am. See you then!