Miners Way & Historical Trail 7 Day Holiday Package

Accommodation

Day 1

Arrive in town of Boyle (just off N4). If you arrive by Train (Dublin / Sligo Train) you will be picked up at Boyle Railway station and driven to your B&B, where your maps & starter pack await you.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast, start your walk from Crossna Church on the Historical Trail, crossing Boyle River journeying along via bog roads to mature forests surrounding Lough Key. Lough Key has many wooded islands and an extensive amenity area 'Lough Key Forest Park' in the old Rockingham Demesne. Exit the park through impressive gatehouses and the way enters Boyle at the impressive ruins of 12thCentury Cistercian Boyle Abbey. The way leaves Boyle steeply uphill, climbing steadily over the Curlew Mountains via the ancient Red Earl's Road.
Distance: 23 km (14 miles) Ascent: 250m Approx walking Time: approx 7 hours

Day 3

Start your walk from Ballinafad, the way follows narrow boreens up onto the Bricklieve Mountains. A steep narrow ravine edged by cliffs is crossed followed by a steep climb to reach bog cuttings. A bog road is then followed gently downhill - Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Cemetery lies up on your right and will invite a detour. Otherwise descend to a road junction and turn right to pass the 'donkey sanctuary', followed by a steep descent to Castlebaldwin. Continuing on the route from Castlebaldwin passing through fields at the north end of Lough Arrow, the route climbs up past Cromleach Lodge Hotel - keep right up driveway and up through forest to reach fields above. The way continues across a road and onto open hillside and on up to Highwood Church.
Distance: 19 km (11 miles) Ascent: 220m Approx walking Time: approx 7 hours

Day 4

This is the last section of the Historical Trail and it rejoins the Miners Way at Ballyfarnon - 6km from Highwood, 100m ascent, walking times of 1.5hrs. The walk portrays the route the Miners Way as it continues from Ballyfarnon up and over Carran Hill and down to Glen Church, with magnificent views along the way to stop and enjoy.
Distance: 14 km (9 miles) Ascent: 420m Approx walking Time: approx 5 hours

Today you will walk from Corrie Mountain to Arigna, passing through the main mining areas of the region. There are several large mines along the pass down the mountain including the original Spion Kop Mine. It then passes through fields onto Tents lane which leads down to Lough Allen and the old power station. An interconnecting series of old lanes, roads and paths leads back into the Arigna River beside a school. There follows a climb up Kilronan Mountain to the Rover Pit - one of the last mines to close. The Way runs south along the rock to Derrinavoggy pits and down the old road to Arigna Village.
Distance: 13 km (8 miles) Ascent: 260m Approx walking Time: approx 5 hours

Leave Ballyfarnon walking east on the road and on reaching a T junction, continue straight across to enter the estate of Castle Tennyson. The way takes a route through their woodlands - there is the opportunity to take a spur off this onto the Kilronan loop, which will wind along the edge of Lough Meelagh offering good views of a Crannog. There is also an offer of a detour to four star Kilronan Castle Hotel and 12th century Romanesque Abbey. Return back to Miners Way and emerge at a small recreation area. The road and lake shore is then followed to Keadue Village. Take a detour off the Way into Keadue Village, which for many years has been the tidiest town in County Roscommon and overall winner of the national Tidy Towns Competition. In the Turlough O'Carolan Memorial gardens lies a structed sweathouse. Rejoin the Historical Trail along a section of fields negotiated prior to reaching Crossna Church.
Distance: 11m (7 miles) Ascent: 50m Approx walking Time: approx 5 hours

Depart with fond memories, new friendships and an urge to return.

Price 2011

€400.00 per person sharing
All prices are in EURO, and based on per person sharing. Per person sharing means two people in one room. Single Room supplement is applied when people require a room for themselves as part of a booking of two or more.

Included in Price

Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
Tour Dates 2012: ANY DATE (February - November)
Level: Easy to moderate
Equipment: You are provided with route map & notes, but correct rain proof gear and walking boots are essential to bring with you.
Accommodation: Selected Bed & Breakfast for duration of walking holiday
Meals: 6 Irish Breakfasts, 6 pack-lunches & 6 evening meals
Transfers: Drop off at start of walk and pick-up on finish of walk
Miscellaneous: Detailed route notes and maps.
Meeting Point: Boyle Railway Station (Ireland West Knock Airport additional small cost)
Departure Point: Boyle Railway Station/Bus Stop or Ireland West Knock Airport.