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WALKS IN LOUGH BOORA

Walk 1

Lough Boora Mesolithic walk / Offaly Way spur line

4 km round trip on gravel paths

Walk 1
Click on the above map to show the area in context.

Walk 1

Lough Boora Mesolithic Walk / Offaly Way spur line

The Lough Boora Mesolithic Walk is part of the Offaly way and is the most direct path to the Lough Boora Mesolithic site and storm shoreline. Approximately 2 km each way, the gravel path is in good condition and is suitable for all age groups. The route is marked with posts bearing the ‘yellow-man’ walking symbol.

The walk begins in the Boora Lake car park and runs along the southern edge of Boora Lake and then passes through areas of conifer, oak and birch-willow woodland before emerging into the open flower-rich grassland that surrounds the Mesolithic Site. Having reached the Mesolithic site the return trip is made by retracing ones steps or walking along the broad, peaty access road that runs east-west through the forest.

The walk is being enhanced by the development of a series of sculptures on the theme of "dwellings". The four sculptures in place are made of natural materials including willow, hazel, heather and turf.

Things to look out for

Spring sees the start of the breeding season and Mallard, Little Grebes and Coots may be seen on Boora Lake whilst Lapwings tumble over the nearby pastures. Look out for Song Thrushes – the piles of broken snail shells surrounding a favourite anvil stone indicating their presence.

In summer and autumn, the path is lined by Rosebay willowherb while Marsh helleborine and a suite of other orchids are found in the lime-rich grassland that surrounds the Mesolithic site. Other plants that may be seen in this area are Common centaury, Cat’s paw, Yellow-wort, Carline thistle, Fairy flax and Weld.

Autumn sees the appearance of a variety of fungi particularly under the spruce, pine and birch trees with which many form a special association that benefits both the fungus and the tree. In winter lichens, some of which look like miniature golf-tees and others tipped red like matchsticks, become more noticeable in the absence of the showy flowering plants.

Walk 2
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Walk 2

Boora Lake Walk

This popular walk consists of a 1.5 km trail that circumnavigates Boora Lake. The walk begins in the Boora Lake car park and proceeds along the southern shore of the lake before turning north along the raised railway embankment that runs parallel to the western shore. Over looking both Boora Lake and the Leabeg wetland, it provides an excellent vantage point from which to observe the many resident and visiting birds. On drawing level with the Northern shore of the lake, turn Eastwards toward the Cycle Path Road which will then take you back to your start point.

Thing to look out for:

With its views over Boora Lake, this trail is the ideal location from which to watch the courtship displays of the lake’s birds. The yellow dandelion-like flowers of Coltsfoot are one of the first plants to bloom along the edge of the path in spring followed by primroses and cowslips which line the old railway embankment – keep an eye out for the hybrid between these two plants.

Summer gives rise to displays of a variety of orchids, Bog Cotton, Wild carrot and waterside plants such as Water mint, Purple loose-strife and Gypsywort. Skylarks spiral and sing above the surrounding fields and grasslands and you may be lucky enough to see linnets. Listen out for the distinctive sound of snipe ‘drumming’ – the noise produced as the air vibrates through the tail-feathers during steep, diving flight.

In winter the trail’s elevated position makes it the perfect place from which to observe the Whooper swans that over-winter on the Leabeg wetland and the extent of the winter flooding.

Walk 3
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Walk 3

Leabeg / Mesolithic Walk

This walk combines the Leabeg and Mesolithic trails in a 5 km circular route. Beginning in the Boora Lake car park, the route follows the southern shore of Lake Boora before veering north after crossing the old railway embankment and then following the eastern bank of the ‘canal’ known locally as the Canoe Course. On reaching the end of the canal the trail runs south along a ride-line in the forestry and then turns west along a broad, peat access road which leads to the Mesolithic site. The Leabeg wetland section of the walk does not have any way-markers and should not be attempted during the winter or early spring due to flooding.

Once at the Mesolithic site, following the ‘yellow-man’ posts that mark the route of the Mesolithic Walk will bring you back to the Boora Lake car park.

Things to look out for

Leabeg is a seasonally flooding wetland, much of which dries out in spring giving rise to a rich natural grassland. Purple moor-grass, Yorkshire fog and Soft rush provide cover for ground nesting birds such as Skylark and Meadow pipit and mammals including hares, which are common in the area, and hunting foxes.

The areas that remain flooded well into the summer are home to Lapwing, Moorhen, Common sandpiper, Redshank and Little grebe. Reed buntings call from the rushes and willows while Kingfishers may be seen along the canal..

Walk 4
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Walk 4

Tumduff Walk

This pleasant walk links Tumduff beag and Tumduff Mor wetlands. It begins opposite Loch an Dochais at the Boora road (R357) end of Tumduff beag. The path runs alongside Tumduff wetland, through coniferous forestry and farmland before emerging at Tumduff Mor wetland.

The rough gravel path is in good condition and is suitable for all age groups. The walk measures a kilometre and a half in each direction and takes approximately an hour.

Things to look out for

In spring the yellow dandelion-like Coltsfoot blooms along the pathway, while Tufted duck, Lapwing and Grebe begin breeding on the wetlands. Look out for Black headed gulls, which can be seen nesting on tree stumps in the middle of Tumduff beag lake.

In summer the path is lined with Purple Moor grass, which turns golden brown in autumn and from which Meadow pipits, Skylarks and Hares are regularly flushed. Also look out for the Monterey pines along the Tumduff beag end of the path - their large pinecones are attached throughout the year.