Walk 10 - Mooghaun Loop Walk
Overview: This walk is set in the middle of County Clare near the village of Newmarket on Fergus, and within a stone's throw of Dromoland Castle and Estate. Mooghaun is the most extensive hillfort in Clare with several acres of ground encompassed within its treble walls. From its highest point it should command a fine view of the surrounding countryside including the estuary of the Fergus, but unfortunately - at the time of writing in June 2011 - this view had been greatly reduced by the height of the surrounding trees. The walk itself is very accessible, with well kept paths and car park, which are managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service of Ireland. In total, the walk is approximately 1½ kilometres in length, and at a leisurely pace should take no more than an hour.
Getting there: From the M18 take the exit for Newmarket On Fergus at junction 11 if approaching fom the North , or the exit at junction 10 if approaching from the South. Follow the signs for Newmarket on Fergus and if approaching from junction 11, keep an eye out for a turning to the left sign posted for Mooghaun, just before the centre of the village. If approaching from the South, pass through the village centre and look out for a turning to the right. Follow the road to Mooghaun for about 2½ kilometres and watch out for the car park on your left at the Long and Lat coordinates 52.779960 North and -8.880118 East.
The Walk: From the car park the path passes through woodland before crossing a dirt road and leading upwards through the three ringed Bronze Age hill fort to its summit. Information boards have been placed at points of interest along the path, keeping you informed of its history and structure.
On route to the hilltop you will pass a small ringed fort which was built much later than the original hillfort and which almost survives to its original height of about 2 metres. Adjacent to it is possibly a cooking area. The path to the summit is no more than about a 100 metres from here, and at the top is a wooden viewing platform. The map in the centre of this platform highlights the surrounding points of interest, most of which would be visible if the view was not hindered by the surrounding trees.
From here the path meanders in and out of the ramparts down to a second small ringed fort built around the same time as the ringed fort you would have passed on the way to the summit. The walk from here leads through the woods to a path that follows one of the boundary walls of the Dromoland Estate. This path is part of the Mid Clare Way long distance trail - some 139 kilometres in length that circles the region surrounding the county town of Ennis. Turn left here and within a short distance you will break out of the woodland and should be able to see Mooghaun Tower.
This tower was built around 1490 and has been occupied by various families through the centuries. For the last twenty or thirty years it has been owned by an Irish American family who have restored it and now use it as a summer residence.
Here the path now leads back up the hill to the dirt track it crossed from the car park to the hillfort. This part of the walk can be a bit muddy, but not enough to worry about, and within about 10 minutes - 15 at the most, you should be back in the car park
Cashel and House Sites at Mooghaun
