A mild hike with panoramic views

We (some long suffering family members) went through the tunnel heading for Galway having left the lovely City of Limerick behind us. Headed for Cratloe where we took the second left thus following the sign for Cratloe Woods. We then came across a split in the road. This is where we took the ‘middle’ road where a Clare County Council have a ‘No Dumping’ sign. We parked at a forestry entrance named ‘Gallows Hill’. We set off for Woodcock Hill following the directions in the first comment box on Mountain Views! Onwards and gently upwards until the ‘Ball’ came into sight. Then we turned off the road on to the service road and crossed a little bridge. The views getting better and better. When we reached the trig point we were all in awe at the wonderful panoramic views. The mighty Shannon river flowing to its wide estuary. The ‘low’ hills of Kerry and Clare marked its boundaries. While below Limerick City clear and close. Thomond Park a distinctive give away that this was the Treaty City below, Keeper, the Arra Mountains and way in the distance Benduff in the Devils Bit range, the Galty’s, Ballyhoura and Slieve Felims all to be seen. I saw no woodcocks but could imagine this 1023ft mountain was the seat of a King of old as the Gaelic name hints at. A vantage point too good not to have been, the ‘Golf Ball’ marks the spot, well worth a visit of a sunny day. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/948/comment/6066/

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osullivanm on Woodcock Hill

Having driven from Dublin to Killaloe, we were looking for a relaxing, undemanding walk which would, hopefully, provide good views of the surrounding countryside. Our eyes were drawn to Woodcock Hill - a relatively isolated hill, standing at 310m and accessible by road, - it looked as though it would fit the bill. We parked at A (R519 638) to walk the final few hundred metres to the top. The Irish Aviation Authority has a radar unit on the top which includes two rather interesting looking white dome-shaped structures. As anticipated, we enjoyed a panoramic view of the area including parts of the Shannon and Limerick City. We met a number of other walkers and formed the impression that this is an excellent spot for a relaxing weekend stroll!. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/948/comment/4226/

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Giant golf ball

There is a road heading north out of the village of Cratloe out past the enterence to Cratloe Woods. After about 5 kilometers along this road at B (R51945 63870) there is room to park. You will see an odd looking structure built by the Irish Aviation Authority less than 500 meters away from the road. When I was younger, driving to Limerick with my parents, this always looked like a giant golf ball on a hill, well to a young mind it did. The trig point is only another 50 meters behind this structure. From here you can see out to the Shannon estuary and also Thomond Park in all it's glory. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/948/comment/20097/

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