The Western Lough Derg Shore – Hills, Craft and Coffee

This month’s blog features one of the most popular routes out of Killaloe, exploring the western shore of Lough Derg in County Clare. This route is available as both a Guided Tour and as Self-Guided (with the route provided on a Garmin satnav device). The route starts and ends on the banks of the River Shannon at Killaloe Hotel and Spa, or from the Lakeside Hotel on the Eastern shore. It takes in the lake shores and hills to Tuamgraney and Scarriff. The standard route is 34KM long, and includes just one climb, which can be skipped if desired. Or for the mountaineers among you, we can add in extra climbs!

 

 

The Tour

We start from Killaloe, which has been a key crossing of the River Shannon for at least 1000 years, and was home to the famous High King of Ireland Brian Boru. Heading up the western bank of Shannon, we soon reach the start of Lough Derg, at Two Mile Gate, a popular spot for walkers, swimmers and water sports enthusiasts, where we pause to admire the stunning views.

Continuing to the North, we soon come to a side road off to the left, and here we start to head uphill, into the lower reaches of the Slieve Bearnagh Range. There is a climb of about 1km, which is the only climb on this route. At the top we reach a Killeen, which was a childrens’ graveyard, and is a poignant spot to pause for a breath. For the mountain-seeker, we can continue to explore the hills on a series of back roads, or alternatively, we can head straight down into Tuamgraney.

 

 

Arriving in Tuamgraney, we reach the most historic section of the tour. There has been human settlement in the area since the Bronze Age, and the town is home to the 1000-year-old St Cronan’s Church, which is the oldest church still regularly in use in the whole of Ireland.

 

 

Also in Tuamgraney is a choice of places to visit for the tour participant. We can stop for a coffee and/or a visit to the chocolate factory at Wilde Irish Chocolates. Or we can visit McKernan’s Woollen Mills. A short distance on from Tuamgraney is the picturesque market town of Scariff, where lunch at the East Clare Community Cooperative is an option.

 

 

 

We return to Killaloe via the cycle path which runs alongside the road, taking in many fantastic views of Lough Derg. A particular highlight is the view from Ogonelloe, where we see several islands inclulding Inis Cealtra (Holy Island). This was a monastic settlement, founded in the 6th Century, which was a great centre for scholarship and trade for several centuries, until largely destroyed by Viking Raids. However, many of the buildings survive and can still be seen from the views looking down over the Lough.

 

 

This is a great way to see some of the highlights of Lough Derg from Killaloe, and is suitable to all levels of ability.