This is an excerpt from Ireland the Best, published 22 March 2018
The Kilkee Cliff Walk, Loop Head, Co Clare
8KM - CIRCULAR
The Cliffs of Nowhere, as it’s known, in deference to its more famous cliffside neighbour. But don’t be put off by its lack of hype and fame, because this is a stunning, natural pathway that leads you right along the edge of the cliffs, overlooking crashing water and giant sea stacks. Join the walk at the Diamond Rocks Café, and follow the line of the cliff. At the top, the walk curls inland and back down to the town via a country lane.
Knockomagh Wood Nature Reserve, Lough Hyne, Co Cork
3KM - CIRCULAR
The name Knockomagh means bent or crooked hill, and the uphill ramble criss crossing the hillside reminds you that it was well named. Mixed broadleaf woodland grows over about 31 acres. As the trail rises – steeply! – native plants begin to thrive. At the top of the hill, your climb is rewarded by a magnificent view over the coastline and its islands that stretches from the Stags to Cape Clear, from land at Galley Head to Mount Gabriel. After the summit the trail can be hard to follow, but all roads lead back to the carpark.
Ballyhoura Way, Mallow, Co Cork to Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary
89 KM
The 89km route from Newmarket to Tipperary follows part of the path of the heroic and doomed march of Donal Cam O Suilleabhain, chief of the O’Sullivan clan, following defeat at the Battle of Kinsale in 1602. Donal planned to walk 500km to Leitrim with 1,000 clan members, setting out in the depths of winter. Only 15 finally made it to Leitrim. There are no significant climbs apart from a few steep sections, and the highest point is at Seefin in the Ballyhoura Mountains at 500m. Most of the terrain is forest tracks and tarmac roads, though some of the roads can be busy, and some of the upland sections can be wet. OS nos 66, 73, 74.
