Cliff Top Scenery | Victorian Town | 10th Century Church Ruins | Hidden Beaches | Shipwrecks | Lighthouses |
Filming Locations from Star Wars & Ryan’s Daughter | And Lots More…
Loop Head Walking Tours is based at the Stella Maris Hotel (Star of the Sea) in the beautiful Victorian seaside resort of Kilkee, in the heart of West Clare. Walks are guided by proud local man Martin Haugh and can be tailored to suit individual needs or interests, depending on the group. It has been a lifelong dream of Martin’s to share the history, folklore, and stories of the beautiful Loop Head Peninsula where he grew up – and is well known in the local community.
Benefit from Martin’s local connection and knowledge and he will help you discover this hidden West Clare Peninsula in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way through many senses. Explore the heritage and listen to stories of eccentric visitors who visited Victorian Kilkee. Jaw-dropping scenic views, cultural walks and high energy coastal treks exploring castles, churches, shipwrecks and smugglers coves. Prepare to be entertained with Martin’s enigmatic personality, expert knowledge and passion for the Loop Head Peninsula.
Highlights include:
[1] Baltard Loop Walk
Guided loop walk starting at Nancy’s cottage with a cliff top trek to a hidden bay known as the Hoobans, renowned locally as a secret smugglers cove. On route take in the breathtaking Baltard’s Cliffs whilst soaking up the history of Baltard signal tower/castle, magnificently perched high on the cliff top. Be enthralled as Martin shares stories of legends and folklore of days gone by while discovering the history of Baltard Castle ruins. Create memories of epic landscapes, great stories and plenty of laughs.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 3 to 4 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €30.00 | Inclusions: Tea / Coffee; Homemade Chocolate Cake
Level: Moderate. Distance: 8K approx
[2] Cusheen trek
Meander upwards from Burns’ cove along by chimney bay and down into the hidden village of Cusheen with all its intrigue and mystery, just like stepping back 100 years to the setting where Ryan’s Daughter was to be filmed in the 1960s. Soak up the atmosphere and let your imagination go.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 3 to 3.5 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €30.00 Inclusions: Tea / Coffee; Homemade Chocolate Cake
Level: Easy. Distance: 8~10K approx
[3] Kilkee Heritage Town Walk
Guided heritage walk accessible to all via footpaths and easy trails. includes history and stories of celebratory characters that visited Kilkee throughout the years including Che Guevara, Charlotte Bronte, Kate Bush, Richard Harris, and Maeve Binchy to name but a few. Explore the reasons Kilkee was so popular over the last two centuries. This tour can be modified to accommodate wheelchair users.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 2 to 3 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €20.00. Inclusion: toilet break & refreshments @ the Diamond Rocks cafe.
Level: Easy. Distance: 5~ 8K approx
[4] Goleen coastal trek
Take this linear stroll from Goleen bay into the Diamond rocks. Completely uninhabited except for the abundance of wildlife. We will pass the ruins of Dunlicky castle, St Kees well [cure for blindness] and Bishops Island on the way. This is truly the hidden Gem of the west, magnificent views and photo opportunities with nobody else around.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 3 to 3.5 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €30.00 Inclusions: Tea / Coffee; Homemade Chocolate Cake
Level: Moderate. Distance: 12K approx
[5] Loop-Head way
This trek can be whatever you want it to be. Sometimes we take it easy and do a leisurely stroll around the lighthouse taking in Diarmuid & Grainne’s leap , the hanging gardens, and the iconic setting for Star Wars “Return of the last Jedi “. Or we traverse up the Shannon river to Horse island, dissect the peninsula and return on the wild Atlantic side of the Loop
“Option is yours”.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 3.5 to 4 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €30.00 Inclusions: Tea / Coffee; Homemade Chocolate Cake
Level: Strenuous. Distance: 14K approx
[6] Kilcredaun trek
Start at the Irish College dedicated to the brilliant 19 century scholar that was Eugene O’Curry and ramble along the coast of Kilcredaun “sometimes an island when flooded“ visiting not one but two churches from the 12th century. The battery built by the English in the early 19th century to ward off a French invasion, the grave of St Creadun, a holy well to cure what ails you and the remains of the Okeanos which sank off the point in 1947. You can also visit the second lighthouse on the peninsula.
“A lot to take in”.
Min: 5 | Max: 20 | Duration: 3 to 3.5 Hours | Public Price Per Person: €30.00 Inclusions: Tea / Coffee; Homemade Chocolate Cake
Level: Moderate Distance: 8~10K approx
[7] Bus tour of the Loop.
( Not on the brochure )
This trip is usually organised by tour operating companies and normally entails a bus with up to 24 people interested in an overview of the whole peninsula.
We normally hook up @ Stella Maris hotel Kilkee, approximately 10.30 am with refreshments laid on & toilet break.
I normally take the tour onwards from there with an introduction to the history of Kilkee, all its Interesting visitors and amazing sights. From there we endeavour to discover the rest of the hidden secrets of loop head.
Spectacular views, star-wars location, folklore, little arc, sunken ship and so much more.
Max 24 / duration day long/ price per group €350
Level ~ easy going.
