OUTDOORS Mayo walk of the month - Moorehall loop trail

Mystic Moorehall a walking treat


Walking
Tom Carolan

Moore hall Walking Trail
Length 3 km
Estimated Time 1 - 2 hours
Degree of Difficulty Easy
Trail surface Forest paths
Minimum Gear Walking shoes and raingear

The Moorehall estate is managed by Coillte and is situated on the shores of Lough Carra. Its network of forest roads provides a very pleasant walking trail, the focal point of which is the ruins of Moorehall House.
The house was built in the 1790’s by the Moore family but sadly was destroyed by fire in 1923 during the civil war. The Moore’s were unusual in that they were Catholic landed gentry and were regarded as decent landlords by the local population.
Lough Carra is one of the three great lakes in the area and has a very distinctive green colour which is attributed to its marl bottom that reflects in the sunshine. Swans and many species of wild duck are present.



The walking trail starts at the car park. Walk through the yellow and black barrier which takes you into the forest. The trail passes a mixed plantation of conifer and broadleaf trees. Continue over the small hill and pass the old coach house. This now is a preservation site for the lesser horseshoe bat. Continue along the forest road for 1km. Turn right at this point for a half of a km. At the next junction, turn right. This will take you to Moorehall House, now in ruins. Before leaving the house, visit the old walled garden which is nearby.
To make your way back to the car park, use the path opposite the front door of the house. This takes you through the picnic site. If time allows, you can take a short walk to the burial site of the Moore family at Kiltoom. On leaving the car park take a right, follow the public road for approximately 30 metres.
Just over the bridge turn left at the gate, walk through the beech wood path a short distance and you will see the grave up hill on your right. If you continue along the path for approximately 300 meters you will come to a lovely vista onto the lake, and then retrace your steps back to the car park to finish. Visit www.moorehall.net and www.coillteoutdoors.ie for more info.

Tom Carolan works for South West Mayo Development Company as Recreation Officer. His job involves the design, construction and promotion of recreational trails. He can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.

This is the first in the new Walk of the Month series. The Living section will carry an article on a new Mayo walk on the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months.

How to get there
Moorehall is less than a ten minute drive from Ballintubber Abbey and two miles from Carnacon. If traveling on the N84 between Castlebar and Ballinrobe, first follow the sign for Ballintubber Abbey, which is left at Corrigan’s Petrol station, about eight miles from Castlebar. From there,  follow the signs for Carnacon and then Moorehall.