County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
Comments
1. The route passes through one landscape character areas defined in the County
Development Plans as the Northern Lowlands. The route is characterised by flat
terrain and open lands with regular medium sized field patterns. Hedgerows are well
maintained with scattered trees along field boundaries. Land use is predominantly
pasture for cattle. The route crosses the M4 motorway twice affording, on a clear day,
views of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The route passes through a small wood of
mixed deciduous and coniferous trees. A section of the Royal Canal passes through
the village and the walk can include a short 2km spur along the canal towpath which is
described in walk 16.
2. The walk is along country road with hedgerows and occasional stand of trees along
field boundaries. The hedgerows abound with bramble, elder and hawthorn. There is a
short section of the walk through a mixed wood of deciduous and evergreen trees. The
range of habitats supports a diversity of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, insects, mammals,
and birds.
3. The Bus Eireann website gives the most updated schedule of services to Kilcock
which is a frequent daily service. Kilcock is also served by Dublin Bus (66) and
Iarnroad Eireann with regular daily train service. The route links the growing urban
development of Kilcock with its adjacent rural landscape of pasture and cattle rearing,
the built heritage of Courtown House and ecclesiastical tradition of the Mass Rock.
4. Along the route are the detached eleven bay three storey gothic style Presentation
Convent c1870, the gothic revival former Christian Brothers school, the Market Cross
(1640), a mass rock dating from Penal times and views of Courtown House, an early
nineteenth century house built to replace the one burned in 1798. There is a
picturesque foresters cottage dated 1896. The Mass Rock is not signposted and is on
private land. There is no access at present to Courtown House which is underdevelopment
as a spa hotel.
5. The route is along public road and no landowner issues apply. The Royal Canal Walk is
under the management of Waterways Ireland.
6. There are no Natural Heritage Areas or Special Areas of Conservation adjacent to the
route.
7. The underfoot conditions are firm along metalled road throughout with footpaths in places.
8. Signage is infrequent and small. Hazards, such as bulls, are noted. There is a need for
“Caution Walkers” signs along this narrow busy road which is popular with walkers.
9. The entire route is on public road.
10. There are no annual festivals or events listed for Kilcock.
11. The entire route is 5.5kms on the flat along public road with footpaths in places. The route
is busy with traffic and walkers. There is inadequate signage for motorists to slow down.
12. Car parking is available in Market Square beside the railway station.
13. The route is along a narrow busy road with inadequate footpaths and poor signage to alert
motorists to the presence of walkers. At the canal bridge there is wheelchair access to a
mooring point. There are picnic tables and benches. There is a Kilcock Branch of the Royal
Canal Amenity Group that cut grass at the canal side on a voluntary basis.
14. The route is a spur off the existing Royal Canal Way.
15. The route is supported by Kildare County Council. Sections of the route near the
railway station had a significant amount of scattered litter and overflowing litter bins.
The Kildare Sports Partnership provides training for walking leaders.
16. The are a number of community groups in Kilcock with an interest in the route
including Kilcock Tidy Towns, Kilcock Canal Restoration. A community group was set