The Burren in Co Clare is the venue for a new walking festival that takes place later this month.
The Burren Peaks Walking Festival is offering guided hill and lowland walks, varying in distance and grade and catering for all levels of walkers.
Organised by the Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club, with support from Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, and the local community, the festival will take place from September 25 to 27.
Gerry Reidy, festival manager, says the club is delighted to host County Clare’s first walking festival in the Burren .
“The foundation for the festival is built on the goodwill of the landowners in the area and the support of the local community. We would like to thank them and emphasise it is with their goodwill and support that this festival and these walks are possible. We ask all walkers to respect the Burren terrain, the farmland, and adhere to the “Leave No Trace Policy” … a practice our club endorses and promotes.”
The Burren’s dramatic landscape - the largest area of karstic limestone in western Europe - has fascinated walkers, historians, and geologists for years. Each day the festival will host three walks, graded easy, moderate, and difficult.
All walkers are invited to the opening reception at The Burren House Ballyvaughan on Friday September 2 at 8pm. Gerry Reidy says the reception will gives walkers an opportunity to discuss their chosen walk with walk leaders and they will also be given a talk on the Burren by a guest speaker.
All walks need to be pre booked by September 18 to enable the festival organisers to arrange transport.
Ciara Scully, Failte Ireland’s walking development officer, says the walking festival is an excellent way to highlight the beautiful Burren area to visitors.
“ Twenty local businesses and tourism providers have already signed up to help provide red carpet treatment for our visitors.”
For further information visit www.burrenpeakswalkingfestival.com or phone 087–2691147.
