Ireland Walking Blog

Clare Sports Partnership have teamed up with Clare Local Development Company’s Rural Recreation Officer and Clare’s Trails Animator as well as local community groups and walking clubs to organise a walk a month during Spring 2012. The Lissycasey Cascades loop in West Clare, the O’ Briens Bridge loop in East Clare, and the Carran Turlough loop have featured in January, February and March, with many people from all over Clare getting out to enjoy these 3 family friendly loops and other attractions in these areas.

The fourth of these walks will take place on Saturday April 28th, this time in West Clare on the 8km Doonbeg bog road looped walk. Unlike the previous loops, this loop as its names suggests brings walkers into the heart of the bog along ancient bog roads. The loop starts at the Church in the village of Doonbeg, and takes walkers out the Kilkee road where it turns left onto a minor road, and then left/right onto a series of bog roads. The route is ideal for walkers including families, although not suitable for buggys. The walk will start at 12 noon sharp and will be led by Clare Sports Partnership and members of the Doonbeg community. Doonbeg Community Development Ltd. are working with The Igoe Inn to provide refreshments for walkers on completion of the loop.

John Sweeney, co-ordinator of the Clare Sports Partnership said:
“We are delighted to be highlighting and promoting this walk as part of our Spring Walk Series in West Clare. Clare Spring Water has kindly come on board and is providing free water for walkers. We are grateful to the Clare Trails Programme, especially Eimer Mc Carthy the Rural Recreation Officer with Clare Local Development Company, for her input and work on this project. Walking is a great way to get active and to stay healthy. We are trying to promote the idea that all it takes is 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Eimer McCarthy, Rural Recreation Officer said:
“With a choice of 2 looped walks starting in Doonbeg, as well as 3 sandy beaches at Doughmore, Doughbeag and White Strand Doonbeg, this area is an ideal spot for a day out for all the family. The village has a small children’s playground behind the church, and many pubs serving food for hungry walkers. The village also has a mobile home and caravan park, as well as Bed and Breakfast, self-catering and hotel accommodation, if you feel like staying around or planning a holiday in the area. It is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts this Spring and Summer”.

The upgrading of bog roads in the area to allow for 2 National Looped walks to be developed is a credit to Doonbeg Community Development Ltd., supported by Shannon Development and Failte Ireland. Credit is due also to the local FAS Scheme who takes care of maintenance on the loops. As well as the 8km Doonbeg loop, there is the 20km Tullaher loop. These loops form part of the Shannon Region Trails selection of looped walks in the County and the Spring Walks Series are supported by Clare Trails Steering Group. There are several looped walks, long distance waymarked ways and Sli na Slainte routes in the county, and they can be accessed free of charge, with maps and details of all walks downloadable from Shannon Region Trails.

The Doonbeg Looped walk is entirely on tarred roads and bog roads, is suitable for all the family, but is not accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes, warm clothes and bring waterproof gear. For further information, please call Catherine on 065 6865434 or see Clare Sports Partnership for more details and to download a map of the route. This initiative has received funding from the Irish Sports Council.