Make a loop of Doonbeg

Doonbeg Community Development Ltd will launch the new Doonbeg loop walks on Sunday at 1pm in the village hall. Minister for Defence Tony Killeen will attend the event, which is supported by Shannon Development and Fáilte Ireland.
Doonbeg parish has a varied and unique land and seascape with a network of minor bog roads south of the village and some of these are close to a designated special area of conservation. Doonbeg Community Development Ltd recognised the positive and sustainable potential associated with utilising these minor bog roads as loop walks. 
It was eventually decided that some of these roads should be developed into two loop walks. It was subsequently decided to locate the start of both trails beside the church in Doonbeg village.
“We were particularly pleased with the recent glowing report from Fáilte Ireland’s inspector and particularly his recommendation that due to the high standard of these walks they had the potential to be designated as cycle tracks also,” Paddy Murrihy of Doonbeg Development commented.
“The two loops have been completed and are now officially designated as national loop walks. 
“The Doonbeg Loop is 8km long and the Tullaher loop is 20km. Specific details concerning each walk are available at the start of the trail,” he added.
Doonbeg Community Development chairperson Rita McInerney is confident that local people and visitors will utilise the loop walks.
“Walking as a pastime has developed enormously in recent years and by making more areas accessible has the potential to create a viable and sustainable tourist attraction for visitors.  More and more people are becoming health conscious and walking and cycling routes make real use of the natural resource that is the Irish countryside, as well as coastal areas,” Ms McInerney commented.
Paddy Murrihy believes that the walks will attract visitors to Doonbeg and provide an added activity for members of Doonbeg Golf Club.
“Since its opening in 2002, Doonbeg Golf Club has been very successfully attracting many additional international tourists to the area. 
“Accordingly, we are well positioned to deliver a holiday location of excellence, if only we could secure that little additional financial assistance from Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Development.  The future of West Clare largely depends on the tourist market,” he stated.
Sunday’s launch will be followed by a guided tour of the new loop walks.
Further Doonbeg-related tourism information is available on the revamped www.doonbeginfo.com