Map

Dromore Wood Loop Walk

Situated in the southeastern extremity of the Burren region of Co. Clare, Dromore Woodland Nature Reserve is an area of approximately 400 hectares. It is owned by the Irish State and was established as a nature reserve in 1985 because of the diversity and richness of its flora and fauna. The loop walk is part of the network of National Looped Walks and is marked using the standard purple National Looped Walk directional arrows.

Directions to Trailhead

Start from the village of Ruan (10km northwest of Ennis town which is on the N18 between Galway and Limerick). Dromore Wood trailhead is only 2km from Ruan and is signposted from the centre of the village.

A-B. Starting from the car park follow the purple National Loop arrow along the tarred roadway back in the direction of the main vehicle entrance to the reserve. You will be also following the Mid-Clare Way (marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo). After 500m the loop swings right into woodland.

B-C. Emerging onto the tarred roadway again, the loop veers right continuing in the direction of the reserve entrance before turning left into woodland just before the same entrance. You will leave the Mid-Clare way here. After meandering through woodland - running parallel to the boundary wall - you exit the woodland and join a laneway where you turn left.

C-D. Shortly afterwards, the loop rejoins the Mid-Clare Way and wanders along the wooded edge of the reserve for almost 1km. The loop then leaves the Mid Clare Way again to follow the Castle Nature Trail (one of two established loop walks in the reserve).__

D-E. This 1km section of the loop takes you onto the shore of Lough Garr and Dromore Lough – at the end of which you rejoin the Mid-Clare Way for the final section back to the trailhead.
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E-A. The final 400m of the loop passes by the imposing O'Brien Castle and along a bridge/boardwalk to reach the trailhead.

Downloadable Map

Dromore Wood Loop - Downloadable Map