Name of walk	Gleninchaquin Walk
Date of walk	2015-08-21
Distance walked (miles)	2
Duration of walk	3 hours 0 minutes
Weather	Mixed
Peaks on walk	None
Walked with	Brendan
Parking	Gleninchiquin Park

Fellow bell ringers Anne and Keith had recommended a walk up to the waterfall at Gleninchaquin Park, County Kerry, which they did last September. I thought I had not been here before, but I recognised the waterfall from when we took Brendan’s Mum up to the top lake about five years ago. We did not go walking then, we were just out for a drive. It is at the top of a long single track road beside three lakes. The park has various walks. This time we paid our entrance fee and followed the waterfall walk track, adding a few detours here and there.

A view to the waterfall.

Soay sheep.

In 2005 a programme of restoration was begun to restore cottages from the 1800's that fell into disrepair after the Irish potato famine of the 1840's, which devastated the local population. We took a detour to visit one of the restored cottages.

Then we detoured to the shores of Cummeenadillure Lough.

We then continued on up to the top.

Looking back down on the lough.

The weather was turning to rain.

Rain at the top and no views!

We continue on to the look out point up the valley as the rain passed over.

Looking down on to Cummeenaloughaun.

We have a view back down the lakes to Kenmare Bay.

View back from the top of the rock section, another short detour to get a view.

A great view down all the lakes. Lough Inchiquin is the nearest, then the Cloonee Lakes.

From the bridge over the waterfall.

We climb down the steps and have lunch on a seat with a lake view.

Then we join the riverside walk.

Very Monet like.

Back at the start.

We drive back down the single track road stopping at Lough Inchiquin.

We stop again at Uragh, just before you reach Upper Cloonee Lough, to visit the Stone Circle.

The Stone Circle with a view to the waterfall behind. The centre of the circle was full of (human) ashes.

View back to the Stone Circle from a nearby hill.

We then head up another hill to the Famine House.

View back to the lakes before returning to our car.

We say goodbye to the sheep.

This excellent little walk was only a couple of miles long and with the detours and lunch it took us three hours. The Stone Circle walk was only 30 minutes.

Jo.