This article is from page 74 of the 2008-07-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 74 JPG
AN increase in tourists looking for a more intimate experience of their time in Clare has led one north Clare businessman to launch a new, regular tourist walking service in the south Burren.
Having operated by appointment only for the last five year, the Kil- fenora based Heart of Burren Walks has this month launched two regu- lar weekly walks. The walks have proved so successful that guide, Tony Kirby, plans to run them on a daily basis in 2009.
‘There seems to a growing demand
for authentic guided walking tours in the area. I’ve been operating as a walking tour guide in the Burren for five years now or so but up until now it’s been by appointment only. But I have decided to open a new angle on it and open regular scheduled walks during the high season,” he said.
“So each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon throughout July and Au- gust we have a scheduled walk and the response has been so good that I will probably expand it a good bit next year.”
The walking tours leave from out- side the Burren Centre in Kilfenora each Wednesday and Saturday at
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The walks explore a variety of routes in the south of the Burren and take about two hours to complete.
“I have a few different routes and place but they are all roughly two hours in duration, the walking is always quite leisurely and there is always regular stops for some com- mentary on the highlights of the Burren which would be the nice wild flowers and things like that. The in- tention is to keep the group between 15 and at the very most 20 people. Children under the age of 16 come free of charge so that is a real incen- tive for families to come along,’ con-
tinued Mr Kirby.
“I do think that people are looking for holidays that are activity based and have contact with local people. The meeting point for all the walks is at the Burren centre in Kilfenora and I would like to think that there is a benefit for the local community and the Burren Centre.”
The Heart of Burren Walks leaves from outside the Burren Cen- tre in Kilfenora each Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. For more info contact 065 6827707, email info@heartofburrenwalks.com — or check out www.heartofburrenwalks. one