In other postings, I have written about some of my favourite walks. One was in Basel, Switzerland, and the other in County Sligo in Ireland. I will return to Ireland for this one, to the little town of Midleton in County Cork. I lived in Midleton for four years, and I still go back there regularly. When I do, this walk is one of the things I like to do there.
The walk starts at a car park on the Bailick Road on the southern edge of Midleton, just beside where the Bailick Road passes under the N25 dual carriageway. From there a bridge takes you over the river. This is the estuary of the Owenacurra river, and if you are very lucky you may see fish swimming in the water below. Once across the river, the patch continues on to the Riversfield estate, a housing development that looks out on the estuary. It is worth looking out for birds here, especially at low tide. Egrets and different types of waders are commonly found looking for food in the mud left behind by the tide.
The walking route continues on through the Riversfield estate until you come to the Cork Road. Turn left there, heading away from the town centre, and you soon come to the town’s ring road. Turn right there, and head north, past the industrial units, and follow the ring road, passing over the railway bridge, and eventually meeting the Fermoy Road. It is possible to turn right and go back into town, but I prefer to continue on straight to Avoncore Place. There is a house there which never fails to attract my attention, and never fails to amuse me with its frond garden full of interesting sculptures.
Continue on up the small hill and before turning right into Broomfield Court. Follow this road as it winds around to Meadowlands Lane. Two right turns in quick succession will then have you on the road into town. The route passes the stores of Midleton distillery, makers of fine Irish whiskey. There is liquid gold stored there! You pass Clonmult terrace, a row of cottages associated with the distillery, the school and shops to come to the main street close to the local library.
Turn left onto the main street, and head south, past the distillery entrance, and over the bridge. Then go up St. Mary’s Road and over the small hill to reach the Lake View Roundabout. I am not sure what lake is meant to be in view there, because I could never see any. There is a bridge to take you over the roundabout before continuing on out the Whitegate Road. Turn right to go down The Dark Road, and right onto Bailick Road again, which soon brings you back to the start.
This is a suburban walk for the most part, but it also takes in some urban and rural stages. There is plenty to see if you keep your eyes open, whether it is the birds feeding in the estuary or the quality of gardens in the residential estates. It takes a little under two hours to complete, and is worth the effort.
And the total step count for this walk? About 13,000.
Walkingman 