Offaly to play host to long running walking festival next weekend

THE Slieve Bloom Walking Festival, one of Ireland’s oldest walking festivals, is twenty-eight years running this year.

Over the years the dedicated walk leaders have taken walkers into the magical unspoilt landscape that is the Slieve Blooms. This festival is not just a walking festival for the serious walker but a special social event for people to meet, chat and enjoy the outdoors. But don’t take their word for it, come and see for yourself!

Walkers who come along and join for the festival weekend are offered free membership for weekend walks that take place all year round. Many of the walkers who enjoy it so much come back weekend after weekend. It’s a real opportunity to get out and get active, make friends and have fun.

This year there is a choice of seven great walks ranging from easy woodland to more challenging treks in remote wilderness areas of the Slieve Blooms.

The festival gets under way with grades A and B walks departing from Clonaslee Community Centre on Saturday May 4th. The grade A 13km walk to Knockastumpa for experienced walkers, and a grade B 9km moderate walk around Brittas Lake and woodlands. Glenbarrow Car Park is the starting point for the grade C 6km walk, an amazing walk among the bluebells in Capard Woodlands that begins at 1pm. Registration for A and B walks is at 10.15am in Clonaslee and 12.45pm for C Walk in Glenbarrow.

On Sunday May 5th the walks start from Kinnitty Community Centre. There is a Grade A 10km walk through Paul’s Land and Spink Mountain, a Grade B 9km moderate walk in Kinnitty woodlands and also a Grade C walk around the beautiful Knockbarron Woodlands. Registration for A and B walks at 10.15am and 12.45pm for C Walk.

Bank Holiday Monday features a Grade A 10km walk on Conlawn Hill which departs from The Deadman’s Inn Ballyfin at 11am.

The fee is €8 per walk (accompanied children are free). If you wish to join the Slieve Bloom Walking Club and avail of guided walks every Sunday of the year then annual membership is €20 (single) or €30 (family).

For more details please visit slievebloom.ie or facebook.com/slievebloomoutdoors or phone (086) 8210056.