Ballinaboola
Overview
Ballinaboola or Baile na Buaile means townland or homestead for cattle fold or summer pasture. One can imagine that this sheltered location on the lower north western reaches of the Ballyhoura mountains would have been very suitable for providing shelter for livestock in times past. This section of forestry is part of a 6000 hectare block that is criss-crossed with multiple tracks and forest roads.
Things to do
There are two National Looped Walks starting/finishing from this car park. The Knockaduv Loop (5km, 1hour 15 mins, moderate) and the Ballinaboola Loop (10km, 2 hours 30 mins, moderate) are both great muscle stretchers. On clear days, the views along the way include the impressive uplands of the Ballyhouras themselves, the rich agricultural lands in the hinterland of Charleville and occasionally beyond to Limerick City and the mighty river Shannon in the distance.
A section of the Ballyhoura Way, a multi-day 80km , National Way Marked Way passes through this wood
Cycle: Over 100km of mountain bike trails nearby.
There are many signposted road cycle routes in the area.
Explore nature: If you are lucky, Hen harriers can be seen from time to time foraging and patrolling the area.