No matter where we live in Limerick we have many lovely walks available to us on our doorstep. Here are some of our favourite family walks in Limerick:

#1. Riverside Walks in Limerick

The River Shannon flows through Limerick City and is a wonderful amenity for citizens and visitors alike. There are a number of very pleasant riverside walks available, some of which are maintained by the City Council.  These include:

The City Centre, by the Shannon and Abbey Rivers

Balllinacurra/Roundwood, by the Ballynaclough River

Corbally Walks Canal Banks Rhebogue

Westfields, North Circular Road

Castleconnell

#2. Clare Glens, Murroe, Co. Limerick

The Clare Glens forms the boundary between Co. Tipperary and Co Limerick. The Glens through which the Clare River flows is a gorge, which provides excellent walks and scenic views from all sides. There are many waterfalls the Glens are heavily wooded and a nature trail has been mapped in a looped course format, which opens up all areas of the Glens to the visitor.

This is definitely worth a visit. It has miles of walkways and foot bridges over the river. The river runs through a series of waterfalls and rapids which is a most spectacular sight. There are loads of plants and animals to be seen.

Directions: Start from the village of Murroe on the R506 between Limerick City and Cappamore. Follow the signs for Clare Glens which take you north out of the village. Follow this road for approximately 5km to reach the trailhead at a car parking area on your left. Both loops start and finish here.

#3. Curragh Chase Forest Park, Kilcornan, Co. Limerick

Centred around the ruins of Curraghchase House, the 18th Century home of poet Aubrey deVere, this beautiful 313 hectares park includes an arboretum, a wildlife lake and a nature trail which takes you to many of it’s most beautiful features.

There are gentle walks around the garden of the house which are suitable to wheelchair, prams and family walks. The longer Curragh and Glenisca trails suitable for those looking for more demanding walking and cycling.

Facilities include toilets, playarea, picnic tables, bbq area and plenty of parking.

Directions: From Limerick take the N69 west heading towards Askeaton. Pass through Kildimo village and continue to Kilcornan. Turn left just leaving Kilcornan and follow this road for 3.5 kms to reach the Forest Park. It is clearly signposted from the main road (N69).

Lough Gur, Bruff, Co. Limerick

Lough Gur is widely renowned as one of Western Europe’s important archeological centres. Humans have continuously inhabited this area ever since the Neolithic Age, and many treasures were discovered on the shores when the lake level was lowered in the 1800s.

Walk around the park and visit  the remains of an early farmstead dating back to roughly AD 900, a lake island dwelling that can be traced back to as far as the year 500, and a wedge-shaped tomb from around 2500 BC, reputed to have been used as a community gravesite. Wildlife enthusiasts will find a variety of birds here, including the Great Crested Grebe, swans, moorhens, and ducks.Before you turn off for the park visit the Grange Stone Circle, the largest and finest monument of its kind in all of Ireland. It contains 113 standing stones, and has a diameter of 150 feet. Built in 2000 BC, the Grange Stone Circle is older than some of the Egyptian Pyramids.

Directions Take the N20 route from Limerick City heading towards Cork. Take a left at the Village of Croom and travel onto Bruff. Follow the directional signs to Lough Gur Heritage Centre.

#5. Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail Loop Head Road, Asketon, Co. Limerick

Located between the Shannon estuary and the River Deel, just outside the village of Askeaton the Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail winds through gentle meadowlands. There are many varieties of plants and wild flowers, wild berries and grasses and you can see wildlife in the wetlands near the estuary and riverbank. An ideal location for those interested in bird watching Ireland’s first sanctuary for butterflies with a habitat management programme specifically for the benefit of our native butterflies.

#6. Newcastle West River Walk – Demesne and Railway track to Ardagh

The Castle Demesne and river walk is 5km about 1hr 30mins hours terrain casual. The railway track to Ardagh is 8km round trip 2hrs 30 mins. The is also the Demesne  ground which is over 100 acres of parkland with numerous forms of flora and fauna as well as playing areas and sports fields.For a map of the walks and what to look out for check out The Southerntrails.

#7. Nature Trail At Foynes Wood “The Lady Gate Walk”.

This walk was revamped a couple of years ago. The improvements include resurfacing the pathways, with a new pathway to the top section, and a new pathway leading down to the river Shannon. The trail is sign posted and there are now safety railings, picnic tables and each junction is numbered.

#8. Sli na Slainte Limerick

And finally Sli na Slainte Walks, from the Irish Heart foundation, have routes around town brightly signposted every 1 km, with walks from 30 to 40 minutes. There are numerous walks around Limerick City and County.  So no excuse for not getting everyone out and walking!

Have you got a favourite place to walk with the kids in Limerick? Share it with us in the comments below.

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