Map

Mesolithic Loop Walk

The Lough Boora Parklands is a beautiful new landscape hidden at the centre of Ireland - a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, which until now has been an unshared secret. Over recent years large tracts of bog have been cutaway (an area of bogland that has come out of production once all commercial peat has been removed). But what was to be done with these vast expanses of land? In 1994 the Lough Boora Parklands Group produced an integrated plan for the Boora cutaways - embracing environmental and socio-economic concerns. And so, through a creative combination of nature and human hand new habitats are emerging on the cutaway bogs of Co. Offaly. Lands cloaked with great raised bogs for 10,000 years, which were harvested for energy since the 1940’s, are today establishing a unique and welcoming habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna.

Directions to the Trailhead

From the town of Kilcormac (on the N52 between Tullamore and Birr), take the N52 following the signposts for Tullamore. As you leave the town turn left after crossing the bridge over the Silver River. Follow the riverside roadway for 300m to reach a T-junction where you turn right. After 6km the trailhead is on your left opposite a wooden birdhide. Note the trailhead is signposted from Kilcormac.

A-B. Start facing the car park opposite the wooden birdhide on Cycle Path Road. Follow the red arrow along the tarred road in the direction of Kilcormac - there is a galvanised shed in the distance. Continue for 400m to reach a crossroads where the Farmlands Loop (marked with green arrows) turns left. You continue straight here - following the red arrow.

B-C. After 200m on a bend in the road and after a sign for Boora Parklands, you veer right onto a sandy bog road. After another 200m, turn left at a T-junction and continue to follow the roadway to reach a sharp right bend where the long-distance Offaly Way (marked with yellow arrows and trekking man logo) joins on the left. Turn right here.

C-D. Follow the meandering roadway - bounded by trees on your left and a partridge farm on your right. After 1.5km you enter a coniferous plantation and arrive at a T-junction on top of an embankment. Turn left here.

D-E. After only 100m turn right at the edge of forestry, and follow the sandy roadway past a long, narrow, lake on your left. Eventually you reach a T-junction where you turn right and, after 100m arrive at the Mesolithic Site.

E-F. Leaving the Mesolithic Site, continue to follow the sandy roadway past two bends and then a long straight section through forestry. At the end of the forestry, exit through a wooden gateway and reach a multi-junction of roadways and tracks - the large stone Boora Pyramid looms on your left. Continue straight on here (keeping the standing timbers on your right) and onto the top of the embankment.

F-A. From the top of the embankment you will see the birdhide which marks the trailhead - enjoy the stroll home!

Downloads

Mesolithic Loop Walk Downloadable Map