Development Plans and Easter Fun with Ballyhoura Country
1st April 2019
Ballyhoura Country has exciting development plans for its adventure trails.
As the days get longer it’s time to think about spending more time outdoors. Ballyhoura Country has exciting development plans for its adventure trails and offers an eclectic range of activities to entertain both adults and children during the Easter holidays.
The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails and Visitor Centre are to undergo development after receiving significant funding. There is an Open Day taking place tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd April, for locals and users of the facility to come and review proposed design and layout for the Mountain Bike Visitor Centre development. The project will cost in the region of €1.3 million and is funded by Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council, Limerick City and County Council, JP McManus, and Balyhoura Heritage and Environment CLG. Works are scheduled to be completed by December 2020. The Mountain bike trails received just under €500,000 for the completion of the mountain bike single track trails master plan. Funded by the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant System the work will be completed by the end of 2019. A further €600,000 has also been awarded to Coillte for trails upgrades and the additional new trials in the Ballyhoura’s.
Join in a fun self-guided scavenger hunt at the Glenosheen Woods on Thursday 18th April from 5pm - 6pm. The Neolithic archaeological site of Lough Gur will host an Easter Treasure Hunt on Sunday April 21st at 1pm. Children will be given a map to locate certain tokens, once completed they return to the Heritage Centre to receive their well-deserved Easter egg. Lough Gur also has a hidden fairy trail from the heritage centre to the viewpoint, overlooking the lake.
Terra Nova Gardens are one of Ireland's best known, small, privately owned gardens. Originally a wet, boggy field full of horsetail and rushes, it has been transformed beyond recognition. Set on a half-acre that appears so much larger due to the use of weaving pathways, imaginative features and an ingenious use of space, nothing goes to waste in this lush oasis. Terra Nova Gardens are re-opening for the season on April 1st and have a new Fairy Garden, Hobbit House and Fairy shop for visitors to explore.
The 4th International HearSay International Audio Festival returns to the mountain village of Kilfinane from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th April 2019. The HearSay International Audio Festival hosts international award-winning contributors from all disciplines of creative audio; radio features, film sound, sound art, theatre sound, music, audio fiction. Some highlights from the HearSay Festival include a two-part talk on the reporting and editing of the West Cork podcast. The A Mile In My Shoes returns again this year as does the now famous Open Houses talks.
As part of the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, Ballyhoura Beo are running two events to get people outdoors and moving. A free Adventure Bootcamp at the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trailhead on the 11th of April, from 6pm - 7pm. The bootcamp is designed for all levels of fitness. There will a further 6 week package from May 2nd to June 6th. A free yoga session will help you get in touch with springtime at Coote Hall, Kilmallock on April 12th.
Situated amongst the woodlands of Ballyhoura the Ballyhoura Mountain Lodges have special Easter offers including 'Midweek Madness' for returning guests with discounts on car hire, ticket prices for Friars Gate Theatre, bike hire at Trailriders, family tickets to Mitchlestown Cave, Lough Gur Heritage Centre and Griston Bog. Discounts are also available for guests to explore The Design & Craft Studio Charleville and Ballyhoura Apple Farm in the Ballyhoura Artisan Food Park in Kilfinane.