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Go n-eirí an bóthar leat

Walking, jogging and cycling trails near Churchtown Village

A selection of loop walks, jogs or bicycle trips presented for your enjoyment.

Churchtown is an authentic Georgian village rebuilt in the 1830s to replace a medieval hamlet dating back at least to the 12th Century when the Church in the village graveyard was originally built. A bronze axe discovered in the 1920s tells us that that the area has been occupied by humans for many thousands of years and the preserved skeleton of a Great Irish Elk found in the Moanroe Bog in 1970s tell us about the fauna that roamed these parts between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago. All trails begin across from Boss Murphy's at the old village pump which is 102 metres or 334 feet over sea level.

 

 

 

 

Overall Trail Map

Trail Heights

The highest point is reached at 153 metres or 500 feet on Poulafreestone Hill which is about a mile west of the village overlooking Junction 8 on the Cregane Trail. The lowest point on any trail is 90 metres or 295 feet above sea level at Scart Bridge at Junction 20. There is a difference of 63 metres or 206 feet from the highest point to the lowest which should hopefully not prove over demanding.

Trail 1: The Imogane Loop
Junctions: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1
Distance: 5 miles / 7 Km

Trail 2: The Buffer's Cross Loop
Junctions: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 1
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 Km

Trail 3: The Cregane Loop
Junctions: 1, 9, 10, 11 and 1
Distance: 5.3 miles / 8.48 Km

Trail 4: The Cregane Loop and Liscarroll Castle
Junctions: 1, 9, 10, 22, Liscarroll, return to 10, 11 and 1
Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 Km

Trail 5: The Windmill Loop
Junctions: 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 1
Distance: 6 miles / 9.6 Km

Trail 6: The Imogane / Granard Loop
Junctions: 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 1
Distance: 8.5 miles / 13.6 Km


Trail 7: The Annagh / Shinanagh Loop
Junctions: 1, 11, 14 to 21, 2 and 1
Distance: 9.7 miles / 15.5 Km

Junctions

1. Boss Murphy House
2. The Manager's Cross
3. Clashelane/Ballinamuck Cross
4. Ballyadam Cross
5. Buffer's Cross
6. Mount Corbett / Ballygrace Cross
7. Egmont Cross
8. Ballinaboul Cross
9. Cregane Cross
10. Granard Cross
11. Windmill Cross
12. Mount Brigid Cross
13. Knockardbane Cross
14. Annagh South
15. Ballynoran Cross
16. Ballynarideen Cross
17. Aglish Cross
18. Shinanagh
19. The Bridge Bar
20. Scart Bridge Cross
21. Ballindillanig Cross

Visitors are advised to secure a copy of the Ordnance Survey map Discovery Series 73.

History and Heritage Plaques

Before you begin be sure and seek out the three key heritage plaques in the village. You will find one at the entrance to Bruhenny graveyard, one at the Pound Corner and one between the Post Office and the Parson's House. You will also enjoy your walks even more if you take some time to read about the history of the Churchtown area which is available on our web site at www.churchtown.net.

Burton Park

Burton Park, the Caroline period mansion (c1780) on the eastern edge of the village is open to visitors from May to September by appointment at 022 23 134. Self-catering apartments and a Coachman's cottage are also available at Burton.

Boss Murphy House

Bord Fáilte approved Boss Murphy House was opened on 14th July 2000 in a series of restored Georgian buildings in Churchtown Village and includes 18 en suite bedrooms, residents' dining rooms, lounges, meeting rooms and a residents' leisure suite. You can contact Boss Murphy House at +353 (0)22 23890 and by fax at +353 (0)22 23048. Their web site is at www.boss-murphys.com and emails go to boss@churchtown.net.

Song for Churchtown

If you want to hear Finbarr Furey's "Song for Churchtown" or Francie Conway's interpretation of "The Walls of Liscarroll" you need a copy of Boss Murphy's Spirit of Cork available on CD or tape.

Respecting Private Property

It is vital that you do not ramble from designated Trails and that you respect the fact that all lands and secondary trails bounding the mapped routes are private property and should not be entered without prior permission from the landowner.

Litter Free Zone

Please pack all your waste and in the interest of preserving our trails consider picking up any litter on the trails that may have been dropped by others.

Safety First

Walkers and joggers should face oncoming traffic keeping on the right hand side and be especially careful on blind right hand corners or hill crests. Cyclists should keep to the left.

Visitors should carry appropriate clothing, including rainwear, even on warm days. You might consider carrying a first aid kit and a supply of water. Cyclists should carry a repair kit and bikes should be equipped with a bell and lights. For your safety you should plan your outing, use the trail map and select trails that are within your ability and skill levels, stay on designated trails and whenever possible, go with a partner. Pets should be on a leash and cyclists should watch for pedestrians

These trails are recreational in nature and have been selected with care and the safety of the visitor in mind. However visitors travel these trails at their own risk and neither Boss Murphy's Ltd or the Churchtown Village Renewal Trust is responsibility in any way for your individual safety.

In case of emergency the emergency services can be contacted by dialling 112.

Other Suggested Trails

As well as these seven loop Trails you could also consider travelling to the historic towns of Buttevant which is 4 miles SE, Charleville which is 7 miles NE or Kanturk which is 10 miles SW of our village. With careful planning it is possible to stay on country lanes practically all the way.

Welcome to Churchtown

Welcome to Churchtown where you can enjoy an unspoilt environment and fresh air as you stroll, jog or cycle through our beautiful country lanes. In this publication we outline seven different loop trails from which you can select depending on the time available and your own ability.

You will find Churchtown nestling in between the Blackwater Valley and the Ballyhoura Mountains in a relatively flat plain or pasture land ideal for leisurely walking or cycling. In fact the old medieval name for Churchtown is Bruhenny and it stands for "The Royal House of the Pasturelands".

North Cork thankfully remains unspoilt and undiscovered with hundreds of miles of almost traffic-free lanes on which you can walk and cycle. Some of these grassy lanes are yours to enjoy if you base yourself in Churchtown. And if you can't get to Churchtown just now you can always take a virtual tour on our web site at www.churchtown.net.

We look forward to your company agus go n-eirí on bothar leat or "and may the road
rise with you".

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