EAST CLARE WALKING CLUB

The East Clare Walking Club is now in its tenth year. The club was originally formed to cater for walkers from the East Clare area. Today the club has members from many parts of the county as well as from counties Limerick, Tipperary and Galway.

A walk is held every second Sunday throughout most of the year, many routes incorporating various stages of the East Clare Way as well as further afield in The Burren Galtees Slieve Aughty Slieve Bloom and Slieve Felim and the occasional riverside, lakeside or coastal walk.

Each route is given a star grading, "gentle", "moderate" or "tough" and more information can be obtained from the contact person for each walk as detailed on the club's current schedule. Waterproof clothing and stout boots are essential for "moderate" or "tough" routes. Bring a packed lunch as most walks begin at llam.

Two or three times a year the club organises a weekend away, staying in self-catering accommodation from the Friday evening. With a main walk on Saturday and a gentle walk on Sunday morning (very gentle for those who have overdone the ''craic" Saturday night!) These weekends have proved very successful and good value. Previous locations have included the Dingle Peninsular, Killarney, Connemara, the Comeraghs , Mountains of Mourne , the Belgian Ardennes, Innishboffin, Knockmealdown Mountains and Slieve Bloom. Ongoing ideas for 2008 include The Black Forest, Tuscany and Mount Leinster area.

Membership fees: Individual €10 per annum Family €16 per annum Visitor €2 per walk

Fees collected go towards the cost of insurance, postage and stationary. Full members can avail of a discount on purchases at several outdoor pursuits stores on production of their membership card.

If you would like to know more about the club's activities, how to join or details of this season's schedule contact:

Marian Fahy Derrawee Derrybrien, Loughrea, Co. Galway.
Tel. 061-925184/061-925106 or e-mail eclarewalkingclub@eircom.net