The East Clare Way Limited has developed a number of circular walks. These start and finish at towns and villages along the East Clare Way. This page includes descriptions of five road walks that start in the centre of Scariff (R643845). Tuamgraney quay (R643834) is a good place at which to start two of the walks:

1. Carrowmore Walk (5 km) 
2. Sheaun Walk 7km 
3. Caherhurley Walk 10.5km
     (Start at Scariff or Tuamgraney) 
4. Cappaghabaun Walk 17km 
5. Sliabh Bernagh Walk 19km 
     (Start at Scariff or Tuamgraney)
    

The walk descriptions are slightly modified versions of the descriptions in the pamphlet Walks in the Scariff District published by East Clare Way Limited. A link to a copy of the map in the pamphlet is provided in the right-hand column.

Starting at the Market House in Scariff travel up past the Post Office and Market Square passing the Fire Station and the turning to Mountshannon. After about 1km take the first turn on your right (R653851) under the height restriction posts and down the tree lined lane. Halfway down the lane on the left is a stone wall with a gate (R655848). Go through the gate and up the hill. In spring the banks are crowned with primroses and the dainty white flowers of the Wood Sorrel.

At the end of the track there is a stone viewing platform (R658849). From here you can see Iniscealtra or Holy Island with its Round Tower and, to your right, Scariff Bay with the Slieve Bernagh Mountain as a backdrop. Back down the track the way turns left up past the graveyard to the cross-road junction (R658843). Go straight over taking care of traffic on the main road. The road ends by Lough Derg at a picnic site (R660842). Alongside the Lough many types of interesting wild flowers are to be found. The flowering rush, a variety of orchids and the rare blue-eyed grass are just a few of the varieties by the shore.

To return to Scariff go back up to the cross and turn left. This takes you back to town. If you prefer not to walk on the main road just retrace your steps back up past the graveyard and into town.

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Sheaun Walk (Marked with blue arrows)

7 km; 1.75 hrs; Start: Map 58 R643845 A walk with panoramic views of Lough Derg.

Leaving the Market House in Scariff, walk in a northerly direction taking the road to the junction at R642856. Take the road to your right and follow the road until you meet a T-junction (R638864) some 2km from Scariff. At the T-junction turn right and continue to R651873 and take the road to the right. This area is known as Sheaun. When you reach the next junction (R661862) turn right and follow the road back to the Market House.

Splendid views of the lake and mountains together with lush green pastures make this ramble a pleasant one. (Exploring the road to the left that heads north and uphill from R647871 is on the 'to be researched' list.)

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Caherhurley Walk (Marked with green arrows)

10.5 km; 2.75 hrs; Start: Map 58 R643845 or at the quay at Tuamgraney R643834 Walk with attractive views of the Scariff region.

Leaving the Market House in Scariff, walk in a southerly direction down-hill over the bridge and on the Tuamgraney. The bridge fords the Scariff river. Scariff is Gaelic for "Rocky Ford". Below the bridge the road opposite the factory brings you to Scariff Harbour. The harbour was developed in the mid 19th century and served as a distribution point for goods to all East Clare. These goods were transported by barge down the Grand Canal from Dublin into the River Shannon, through Lough Derg and up the Scariff river. Today the harbour is a stopping off point for those cruising on the Shannon.

Halfway between Scariff and Tuamgraney are the remains of the old workhouse. This was built in 1840 for the purpose of feeding and housing the poverty stricken.

The name Tuamgraney comes from the legend of Gráinne, daughter of the chieftain Finn, who came to draw water from the magic well of the Sun, but on falling in was drowned. The well overflowed, filled the plain, and became the lake of Gráinne or Lough Graney. Her body was carried by the River Graney until she was found at the spot known as Derrygraney (just before the Scariff River enters Lough Derg). Her body was then buried and a mound raised over her grave (known locally as the rock of Tuaimgreine). Hence the name Tuamgraney. The park in Tuamgraney (R636831) commemorates the 1916 rising.

Walking on the left of the park and taking the Killaloe road you can see the ruin of an old castle once owned by the O'Grady clan. On the other side of a small stream you will see the oldest church still in use in Ireland. St. Cronan's 10th century Church of Ireland is also the location of the East Clare Heritage Centre.

Walkers starting the walk at the quay at Tuamgraney will shorten the walk by about 2km. The road from the quay joins the Kilalloe road. At the T-junction, turn left. St. Cronan's church is a short distance along the road on the right.

Take the next turn to the right (R639827) and proceed uphill. Turn left at the junction at R636825. The going is uphill now along a hedge lined road thick with sweet-smelling honeysuckle. The area by the road opens up with a plantation of stika spruce and birch. Here amongst the heather and vetch are heath-spotted orchid. Keep right at the Y-junctions at R641810 and R639807. At the next T-junction (R634806) keep left. Immediately there is another T-junction (R634805), keep right. DON'T TAKE THE TURNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HOUSE. Follow the road in a north-west direction to the junction at R628810. Turn right and follow the road to the main Tuamgraney to Killaloe road where turning left you can retrace your steps back to Tuamgraney and the quay or Scariff Harbour.

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Cappaghabaun Walk (Marked with blue arrows)

17 km; 4.25 hrs; Start: Map 58 R643845 Walk with panoramic views of the Scariff region.

Leaving the Market House in Scariff, walk in a northerly direction, taking the road to Flagmount. On the outskirts of the town you will pass on your left the G.A.A (Gaelic Athletic Association) grounds, which hosts many hurling matches - the national sport. The Roman Catholic Church is known as the Church of the Sacred Heart, Catholicism being the dominant religion in the area, as in Ireland as a whole. The Primary School, an amalgamation of four smaller schools, now serves the parish of Scariff.

Continuing on you will round a rather sharp bend. At the junction (R642856) take the road to your right and follow the road until you meet a T-junction (R638864) some 2km from Scariff. At the T-junction turn right and continue for more than 1 km until you meet one of the old schools, Cappaghabaun School which was built in 1873 and closed in the 1970s. Further on is an old Mass Rock (not visible from the road). During the 16th century, when the Penal Laws were in force, Mass was said in secret using the rock as an Altar.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery overlooking Scariff Bay with its many islands, most notably Inishcealtra or Holy Island. This 6th century monastic site is one of the most famous such sites in Ireland. It's many attractions include a well preserved round tower, the ruins of six churches, and a peculiar cell like structure, probably a confessional. Inishcealtra has an area of almost fifty acres. It holds a wealth of archaeological and historical remains. These date from an era when Ireland was known as the land of Saints and Scholars.

About 6 km from Scariff you will reach a junction (R657889). Take the road to the right. The road surface is somewhat uneven. Continue on for about 1 km and take the left turn at R664892. You will enjoy a landscape of bog. Behind you the Slieve Bernagh and Arra mountains are reflected in Lough Derg's majestic waters. The bogland on your left is home to one of many Diarmuid and Gráinne beds. Legend has it that Diarmuid and Gráinne were lovers. But Gráinne was betrothed to another. They fled and were pursued by Gráinne's husband to be. These rock formations were places of rest for the couple as they fled.

At the next T-junction (R670908) take a right, continue for about 1 km in a southerly direction and turn right again (R672897) to walk in the direction of Scariff. This downhill stretch through the townland of Magherareagh affords exceptional views of Scariff Bay with the Slieve Bernaghs in the distance. On your right the small lake known as Lough O'Grady, can be seen in the heart of the Scariff valley.

At the next T-junction (R666871) take a right turn. The remains of an old flour mill can be seen at this junction. In days gone by the waters of the Bow River drove the old mill wheel. The Bow River meanders from here to join Lough Derg along with the other rivers sourced in the surrounding mountains. A further 3 km will take you back to the Market Square in Scariff.

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Sliabh Bernagh Walk (Marked with red arrows)

19 km; 6 hrs; Start: Map 58 R643845 or at the quay at Tuamgraney R643834 The big walk at Scariff. On-road walk with panoramic views of the Scariff region and of Lough Derg.

Follow the Caherhurley Walk as far as the junction at R636825. Continue in a south-west direction proceeding uphill. As you incline you will view the Scariff valley with Slieve Aughty as a backdrop. R.T.E's., Maghera mast can be seen stretching high into the sky. Lough O'Grady which links the River Graney and the Scariff River is the most prominent feature in the valley.

At the next T-junction (R618803) take a left and go left again at the next crossroad (R620797). You are now in the townland of Caherhurley. There is an old school no longer in use on your right. Continue on and to your left lies the Valley of Cornagnoe - to your right the highest point in Clare, Moylussa, stands at 1748 feet (532 metres) high. The landscape is one of heather covered bogland - peaceful and beautiful.

Walking on, you will arrive at what appears to be a car park (used for clay pigeon shooting). This is just past the mid-point of the walk. Here the scenery changes dramatically. You are walking through bogland and mountain, you approach a bend on the road and there the scenery changes. The fertile land of Ogonnelloe stretches down to the shores of Lough Derg. To your right the wooded slopes of Craglea sweep down to the lake. The Arra mountains of Tipperary with Tountinna standing 1498 feet high provide the backdrop to this beautiful scene.

Walking down the hill in a north-easterly direction you reach a cross roads (R670803). St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church stands on your right. Take a left and you are on the road back to Scariff passing through the townland of Bealkelly. This section of road can be rather busy so extra care is needed. At the T-junction (R655822) take a left turn. You are now on the main Killaloe to Scariff road heading towards Tuamgraney and the quay or Scariff Harbour.

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Maps:

Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Discovery Series 1:50,000
- Map 52, Area north of Mountshannon
     Required for a short section of the Cappaghabaun Walk.
     Includes a major section of East Clare Way.
- Map 58, South-west Lough Derg from Mountshannon to Killaloe and south to Ardnacrusha and Parteen

Acknowledgement:

This page was developed from a pamphlet published by East Clare Way Limited. The material has been adapted slightly to focus more precisely on the needs of boating folks. The permission of East Clare Way Limited to publish extracts from the pamphlet is gratefully acknowledged. Particular thanks are due to Stasia Moroney for her assistance in the project to include East Clare walks in the IWAI Walks pages, Frank Reid for providing the original walk descriptions and advising on their adaptation to the Web, and to Gerry Burke for his helpful advice.