Clare Local Development Company

Rural Recreation and Walks

Rural Recreation Officer

County Clare is fortunate to be one of a small number of locations in Ireland with a Rural Recreation Officer (RRO). CLDC’s Eimer McCarthy is responsible for the introduction of many new recreation initiatives in the county and works closely with the Clare Trails Steering Committee and the Walks Development Officer.

Walks Scheme
The Walks Scheme was introduced to Co. Clare in 2008 for landowners on the 123 km Burren Way. CLDC is responsible for its management and for ensuring ongoing maintenance of the route by landowners. The Walks Scheme has led to major improvements to this high-profile walking route, with the large sections taken off-road greatly enhancing the walkers’ experience in North Clare.

Loop Walks
Several loop-walks on the Burren Way, which have national status, have also been developed with the support of Fáilte Ireland. These include the Black Head Loop (26km), other loops in the Ballyvaughan area (9km) and two Carron loops (11km). Working with the National Parks & Wildlife Service, the Burren Way was further improved with a new section over Mullaghmore Mountain and a 3km loop walk close by, both proving very popular with walkers.
The growth of walking routes in the North Clare area has resulted in new Walking Festivals in Ballyvaughan twice yearly, bringing many extra visitors to the area. There are plans to establish similar events in other locations in the near future.

Cliffs of Moher Walk
A major development on the Burren Way which will commence in mid-2011 is the reinstatement of the walking route from Doolin to Hag’s Head in Liscannor, which has been officially closed to walkers for more than twenty years. CLDC’s Rural Recreation Officer has worked with all of the landowners on the route and the relevant agencies to put this new walking resource in place.

The Clare Trails Steering Committee is currently preparing a three-year Trails Strategy for the county. The strategy will address the development of walking routes, cycling routes and water-based trails.

Our RRO is working with community groups to identify new routes, which is likely to lead to several new projects being set up in the county in the coming years.

For more information contact Eimer McCarthy at emccarthy@cldc.ie.

Visit www.shannonregiontrails.ie for more information on the Burren Way and to download maps.