County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
9. The route is 4.5 kms on forest paths and public road. Seven hundred metres (15%) is
along quiet country road.
10. There are no annual festivals or events listed for Kilkea although nearby Athy (5 kms)
has the annual Ernest Shackleton Autumn School, the International Bluegrass Music
Festival, the Kildare County Show, and the Water Festival while close by Castledermot
has a local festival in August. The Castle is a popular venue for weddings which are a
daily event. The Golf Course hosts regular competitions.
11. The entire route is 4.5kms on forest trails and tarred public roads. There is an optional
gentle climb to the top of the ring fort. The route is not wheelchair accessible. No special
equipment is needed apart from stout walking shoes. The road sections are quiet with little
traffic but caution is still required especially with young children.
12. Car parking is available at both ends of the walk, in the Coillte forest where there are picnic
tables and in the car park of the golf club at Kilkea Castle.
13. The route is under the control of Coillte and the proposed extension is under the
management of Kilkea Castle Hotel. Both Coillte and the hotel have a safety policy in
place.
14. There are three looped walks of about 1 km each within the wood.
15. The route is managed and maintained by Coillte. The proposed extension into Kilkea
demesne would be under the control of the management of the hotel. Coillte and the
hotel maintain the route and grounds to a high standard.
16. Local historians in Castledermot have developed the St. Laurence O’Toole memorial in
the wood and former estate workers now employed by the hotel have voluntarily
restores parts of the medieval church and cleared undergrowth from the Fitzgerald
family graveyard. Castledermot Enterprise and Development Association have
developed an action plan for the area and the Narraghmore Local History Group
published a local history book on the area.
17. There are picnic tables at the car parks at both ends of the route. Toilet facilities are
available in the hotel and golf club which also has a restaurant and pub that serves
food all day. The hotel has a separate pub and restaurant.
18. There is the four star Kilkea Castle Hotel and two bed and breakfast within 2kms of the
route.
19. There is golfing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing and cycling available locally
through the hotel and the other accommodation providers. The provision of walking
would be an extra activity to add to an existing bundle. The hotel would include walking
in their existing promotional package. Drying facilities for outdoor pursuits is catered
for in the hotel and guest houses.
20. The hotel provides regular nightly entertainment for its guests.
21. The route is promoted by Coillte but has the potential to be included in the activities
advertised by the hotel in its country pursuits and wellness centre in brochures and on
the existing internet site.
22. The route is of local significance but combined with the unique setting of Kilkea Castle
it is of national and international importance.