Loop: O’Briensbridge Loop Walks
Trailhead: Riverside Park, O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare
Services: O’Briensbridge, Co. Clare
Distance/Time/Difficulty: Parteen Weir Loop (Green loop), 5km/1.5hrs
Old Barge Loop (Red Loop), 12km/3.5hrs
Errina Canal Loop (Blue Loop), 7km/2hrs
Combination Loop, 16km/4hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Flat, firm terrain with mix of riverside paths and canal banks.
To Suit: Medium level of fitness
Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, rucksack, fluid, snacks and mobile phone.
The picturesque village of O'Briensbridge, Co Clare nestles on the banks of the River Shannon and borders three counties namely Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. The twin village is linked to its sister village, Montpelier in Co. Limerick on the other side of the river Shannon, by a 15th Century stone bridge. These loops are part of the network of National Looped Walks and are marked in both directions using the standard National Looped Walk directional arrows. The red and blue loops also include part of the Lough Derg Way marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo.
All three loops start and finish at the trailhead which is located on the bank of the river Shannon at the Riverside Park in the village of O'Briensbridge, approximately 14km from Limerick City and just off the R463. The trailhead car park is located close to a variety of local shops, pubs, restaurants and guest accommodation.
A-B. For the red and blue loops follow a well surfaced and marked riverbank pathway that leads you southwards from the trailhead along the bank of the river Shannon until you reach the entrance to the Errina Canal (part of old Shannon navigation system). You are also on the Lough Derg Way.
B-C. Follow the well surfaced towpath along the northern bank of the Errina Canal en-route to Clonlara. Midway to Clonlara the pathway passes within close proximity of the headrace canal at Errina Bridge - walkers of the shorter blue loop will be directed under the bridge and onto the headrace canal at this point for the return to O'Briensbridge. More enthusiastic walkers of the longer red loop will continue to follow the Errina Canal pathway into Clonlara village.
C-D. At the 'T' junction with the main public road the loop leaves the Errina Canal pathway and continues to the right through Clonlara Village.
D-E. After passing through Clonlara village the loop again turns right (leaving the Lough Derg Way) and picks up the south bank of the headrace canal en-route back to O'Briensbridge. Alternatively continuing along the south bank of the headrace canal at O'Briensbridge the walker can pick up the marker directions for the green loop and continue along the headrace canal bank all the way to Parteen Weir
E-A. The green loop then returns to the banks of the river Shannon for the return journey back to O'Briensbridge to complete an overall loop walk distance of 16km.
O'Briensbridge Loop - Downloadable Map
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903