OUTDOORS Walk of the month - Enniscoe House loop

The stately Enniscoe House is set on beautiful grounds amid an enchanting walking trail.

Enchanting walk amid  stately splendour


Walking
Cathleen Fergus

Enniscoe Loop Walk
Distance: ??3 kms
Time:?1 hr
Difficulty:? Easy
Surface: ??Path, forest track
Gear: Rain coat, walking shoes/runners

Its funny how something small can trigger a memory; in this case it was the clusters of primroses I passed by as I strolled along this wonderful loop in the grounds of Enniscoe House. They reminded me of my mother’s May Altar, perfectly formed yellow flowers in a blue glass on the small temporary altar atop the bookcase in our kitchen.
As a child, this altar heralded to me that summer was close at hand – and this FΡilte Ireland Loop Walk in the grounds of Enniscoe House is the perfect walk to suit all the family on a lazy sunny afternoon. The loop is located in the grounds of Enniscoe House near Crossmolina, and it’s one of a number of loops than run through the native woodland here.
It is well signed with standard purple directional arrows, but Enniscoe is distinctive in that it also boasts beautiful handcrafted signage and bridges, highlighting such places as Burnt Wood, French Avenue, Clonkelly and Dark Avenue, that you will pass through along the way.
Starting from the car park, follow the purple arrow along the high, stone garden wall (keep it on your left). At the end of the wall continue straight through a gateway as the loop swings left. After 200m turn left onto a path which takes you into the ‘Pleasure Garden’ area.
After 50m you reach a path on your right. The loop proceeds straight, and then continue to follow the path as it takes you to the back of the house. At the end of the building, watch for a sharp right turn onto a narrow gravel path.
Follow this path into woodland – after 200m it turns left and shortly afterwards joins a sandy roadway at wooden footbridge. Turn left here. Follow the sandy roadway through stone pillars and on to reach the Cloonamoyne Fishery lodge, where one can hire boats and the services of experienced gillies to fish on Lough Conn. A wonderful view of Lough Conn opens up in front of you here.
Turn left and into woodland area known as Fox Covert. Now the loop follows grassy tracks through natural woodland (broadleaf and coniferous) and into Burnt Wood, where it follows the right bank of a little stream. After 1km it exits onto a sandy roadway at a gate to a field –turn left here. You will soon see your starting point in the distance at the end of the avenue.
House and gardens
The house itself offers accommodation and meals, and its beautifully restored Victorian walled gardens are open to the public for a minimal entrance fee. The converted outbuildings are home to the Mayo North Family History Research Centre, a small agricultural museum and a small coffee shop, which is the ideal pit stop once your walk is done.
Directions
Start from Crossmolina town on the N59 between Ballina and Bangor. From Crossmolina, take the R315 in the direction of Castlebar. The entrance to Enniscoe House is on your left after around 4km.

Cathleen Fergus works for South West Mayo Development Company as Rural Recreation Officer. Her job includes the design, development and promotion of walking and cycling trails. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.