Tag Archives: 12 o’clock hills

MILFORD Care Centre will be the beneficiary of two East Clare fundraising hikes on St Stephen’s Day. The 12 O’Clocks Hills committee has organised two hikes on December 26, for those who would like to stretch their legs in peaceful, beautiful surroundings. The first option is a 13km hike, gathering at 9.45am, at the Belvoir carpark, for a 10am start. The second is an 8.5km hike, assembling at 10.45am, at the Belvoir carpark, for an 11am start.  There is no charge to take part, but donations, from those taking part, would be greatly appreciated. For those unable to attend, a donation can be made on Idonate.ie/twelveoclockhills.

A NUMBER of special walks have been planned for the end of September at the 12 O’Clock Hills, writes Fiona McGarry. The amenity’s recreational and heritage project committee is planning the walks to mark the seventh anniversary of the official opening of the facility, in September 2014. The amenity has enjoyed a very successful seven years with continuous development of the trails and the upgrade of heritage sites. The development of a new car park at Belvoir and the addition of a Fairy Trail have been very well received, according to the committee. They have also highlighted the “added dimension” offered by the 13k Purple trail, which has increased the length and the number of hills to climb from two to three. In February funding of just over €18,000 was allocated to the 12 O’Clock Hills project under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) for small scale repairs as well as promotion and marketing. Picnic tables were among the improved …

THERE has been a huge boost in popularity of the walking trails at The 12 O’Clock Hills according to the local organising committee, who have begun a number of initiatives in response to the boom in visitor numbers. The pandemic has put the focus firmly on domestic tourism and, over the course of the different lockdowns, this outdoor amenity has come into its own. “It is estimated that during this 15 month period first-time visitors to the facility amounted to as much as 80% of the total attendance on any given weekend,” said Patsy Neville, chairperson of The 12 O’Clock Hills committee. “Visitors are enthused when after making the inquiry, they are advised that according to local lore the Knockanuara twin peaks were named ‘12 O’Clock Hills’ by the ability of people working the nearby lands to tell when it was noon time by the position of the sun between these twin peaks at certain periods in the year. “This …

AN EXCITING collaboration has taken place in East Clare bringing together the natural beauty of the landscape and the rich heritage of the Irish design and craft sector, writes Fiona McGarry. With the support of the Design and Craft Council of Ireland’s #MadeLcoal 2021 campaign, the 12 O’Clock Hills Project has teamed up with a locally-based designer and maker to celebrate their achievements to-date in developing the region as a destination for walkers and hikers. The group has commissioned a limited collection of unique baseball caps hats and beanies produced by skilled artisan Ailish McElroy at her design studio in Bodyke. The aim of this collaboration is to celebrate and support Irish makers and their work, calling on consumers to shop local and consider the breadth of Irish-crafted, high-quality products available here. It also promotes the hiking and walking amenity and celebrates the achievements of the 12 O’Clock Hills Project to-date which has developed three walking and hiking trails for …

An East Clare councillor has branded as “disgraceful and outrageous” the situation at The 12 O’Clock Hills in terms of illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Joe Cooney made his comments at the recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District when he called for a barrier to be erected to address issues including fly-tipping, theft, bike-scrambling and other unauthorised and illegal activities in the area. The Fine Gael member proposed that the barrier might be put in place on the link road between at Torpey Hurleys and the R471 at Oatfield Church. He stressed that this would only be done after consultation with householders, landowners, The 12 O’Clock Hills committee and Coillte. “There is a major issue with unlawful dumping and anti-social behaviour,” he said. “There’s a lot of concern over what’s going on at The 12 O’Clock Hills. A number of different groups have approached us and made an appeal to stop these illegal activities.” Councillor Cooney outlined how …

PICNIC tables are among the improved facilities that will be provided at the 12 O’Clock Hills walking trail, thanks to a funding boost from government and Fáilte Ireland. Just over €18,000 has been allocated to the project under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) for small scale repairs as well as promotion and marketing. It is part of a total allocation of €88,250 for five walking and cycling amenities in Clare. While a strict travel restrictions are currently in force, the hills have proven to be a hugely popular amenity over the last year in particular. “The 12 O’Clock Hills is now an established and very successful amenity,” said committee chairperson, Patsy Neville. “The availability of this amenity has been particularly appreciated during the current Covid-19 pandemic as it provides the space for people to get outdoors and exercise which has been extremely important from a physical and mental health perspective during these challenging times. It is a valuable public …

THE development of the stunning 12 O’Clock Hills walking trails in East Clare is to be marked in special calendar to be launched for the Christmas market. The calendar will include panoramic views from the hills, as well as the popular beauty spots along the routes, and mark the seventh anniversary of the creation of the three popular walking trails which are among the jewels in the crown of tourism locally. Funds raised by the calendar will go towards the part restoration of a ruined farmhouse in the area, as well as the creation of a carved wooden sculpture – both of which are set to add to the attractions along the Hills trails. The restoration of the house known locally as Mary Anne’s is made possible with 80% grant funding from the Heritage Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The stone farmhouse was reasonably intact up February 2014 but Storm Darwin blew the …

THE jewel in the crown of tourism in South East Clare has been enhanced even further, with the development of a third walking trail at the 12 O’Clock Hills, which is set to open to the public this weekend. The new 13km route is a looped trail, and sets out from the new car park at Belvoir Trailhead. It initially takes the same route as the two current Red and Blue trails. It then turns right at the exit from the Crag River Walk section at Crag Bridge. From here, the trail continues for approximately 200m on the public road, and then takes a right turn down an old Famine road (marked with an information board). A left turn takes the walker up an old boreen which links to a Coillte-generated road. Further along this road, there is a left turn and uphill climb of 252m to whet a hill walker’s appetite. This hill is known locally as Loughavarra in …