We are delighted to bring you our bilingual heritage trails on line!
Our group began work on these trails in 2016 in order to highlight our wonderful natural and built heritage. The Kilagoola loop, Killarainey Woods and the Sean Reilig trails were launched during Heritage Week 2016 with the Tullokyne- Kilannin Esker trail and the Rocks Road trail launched in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The Moycullen Bogs trail will launch in early 2023.
These trails were nominated for a Cathaoirleachs Heritage award in 2016 and are accredited by Sport Ireland and included in their National Trails Register.
Where do I start?
You can download our trails brochure through the link at the bottom of this article and will be able to access information on all the points of interest along the trails through this website over the next few weeks. We have placed signs at or near places of interest marked on the trails to give you some additional information. Coloured markers have been placed along the routes to make sure you don't get lost!
The six trails are as follows:
- Killarainey Woods Trail (yellow)
- Kilagoola Loop Trail (orange)
- Sean Reilig Trail (purple)
- Tullokyne- Kilannin Esker Trail
- The Rocks Road Mini Burren Trail
- Moycullen Bogs Loop Trail
The killagoola loop, killarainey Woods, Sean Reilig loop and Moycullen bogs trails begin from our mapboard locations at An Fuaran in the village centre. The Esker trail begins from the National School in Tullykyne and the Rocks Road trails begins from the GAA pitch. All of the trails, bar a woodland section of the Killarainey Woods trail, are on public roads and are suitable for all levels of walker and cyclist. Please be careful not to enter onto private property without the permission of the owner. We are also developing a trail in conjunction with the Moycullen Walking Club based around our wonderful bogs - a designated area of environmental conservation, details will be posted here once finalised and launched (something to look forward to post lockdowns!).
What will I come across?
As you venture along these trails, you will pass over bridges and canals, walk through woodland and bogland with views of our beautiful lakes and rivers. Your journey will bring you from ancient wells, early Christian sites, famine graveyards and soup kitchens, Cromwell, the RIC, penal times and the ancient tribes of Galway to our past and present schools and churches, from the Bianconi stage coaches to the Galway-Clifden railway in the company of modern and ancient poets, scholars and authors.
Take time to enjoy the old ivy clad walls and hedgerows, our bogs and woodlands, our flora including honeysuckle, ferns, mosses, buttercups, rhodedendrons, anemones, blackthorns, foxglove, ground elder, primrose and dogrose to name but a few, our hazel and holly trees and our lakes and rivers full of perch, bream, roach, rudd and pike. You will hear the sounds of our wood pidgeons, pheasant, thrush and blackbirds as well as other native birds. You may be lucky to come across our native animals on a quiet evening such as foxes, badgers, hares and rabbits throughout these trails.
Download Moycullen Heritage Trails Brochure
Enjoy!
