Five walks you can finish in around an hour over the long weekend

Get some fresh air into your lungs and enjoy a spring walk along one of these scenic routes

One of the views along Goleen Harbour Long Loop

WALKING TRAILS

Goleen Harbour Long Loop

Cork

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This walk takes you past the pier to the off-road part of the trail on Goleen Harbour Farm which, among other things, produces organic vegetables, honey from the native Irish black bee and Connemara Ponies that graze the Special Area of Conservation and help encourage the scarce chough found on sea cliffs in the area.

The trail meanders through wildflowers, meadows and new native woodland of oak, alder, hazel, hawthorn, birch and Scotch pine, with fine views of Goleen Pier and Harbour, the nearby coastline and extending across to Cape Clear and Sherkin Islands and out to sea as far as Fastnet Rock. Three other trails start at this trailhead.

In association with Sport Ireland.

 

WALKING TRAILS

Pilgrim's Road to Clonmacnoise

Offaly

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The Pilgrim’s Road from Ballycumber to Clonmacnoise monastic site runs along the crest of an esker. Eskers are banks of sand and gravel laid down at the end of the last Ice Age. For pilgrims, the esker route was dry underfoot, and afforded a view over the surrounding countryside, which you can enjoy on your cycle. Cycling from Ballycumber, as you approach Clonmacnoise the view is stunning with Mongan’s Bog on your left, the Shannon Callows on your right and Clonmacnoise round tower ahead.

The monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded in 545. The site is rich in ecclesiastical detail including a pre-Norman cathedral, seven other churches, several high crosses and two round towers. 

In association with Sport Ireland.