Misc012

Glenanaar Woods is used by the Munster Mountain Running Association for trail races.

Getting There: Glenanaar Woods, Ballyhoura (Parking is limited)

From Cork direction, on the N73 between Mallow and Mitchelstown, take the left turn immediately after the turn to Doneraile on the R522. The correct turn is signposted Ardpatrick. Glenanaar is on the left after 5km

From Limerick direction, head to Ardpatrick on the R512 from Kilmallock. From Ardpatrick, follow signs for the mountain bike trail centre. Continue past this (following signs for Canon Sheehan Loop) and Glenanaar is on the right after 6km

Misc005

Ballyhoura Mtns...

The Ballyhoura Mountains on the Cork/Limerick border are used by the IMRA (Irish Mountain Running Association) for various races every year. Located between the cities of Cork and Limerick, the area is easy to access.

Most IMRA races in the area start at the Mountain Bike Centre which is on the Limerick side of the Ballyhouras.

Directions....The Mountain Bike Centre is located just off the R512 road from Kilmallock to Kildorrery / Fermoy. The map below shows the location relative to the nearest towns.

In more detail....The Mountain Bike Centre is just a few kms to the south of the village of Ardpatrick on the R512.

About 2.4 kms to the south of Ardpatrick on the R512, you will come to the turn off for the Mountain Bike Centre...

The brown sign post above says 'Ballyhoura Woods'. From this junction, the Mountain Bike Centre is only 1 km up this narrow road.

Parking.....Please note that there is a small fee for parking at the Mountain Bike Centre. The roads outside are narrow and not suitable for parking.

Additional info.....The most direct approach from the N20 Cork to Limerick road is from Ballyhea. Turn right at the church (Signposted as 18 kms to Kilfinane).

After 11 kms on this narrow road, you join the R512 at a crossroads. Turn right here and you are in the village of Ardpatrick. Then follow the directions above.

Limerick007

Preview of the Kilmallock 5 mile road race...

Location...The town of Kilmallock is in the SE of Co.Limerick and is just 5-6 miles east of the main N20 Cork-Limerick road....

This map below shows the various approach roads...

Registration is at the Deebert House Hotel on the east side of the town. This is just off the R515 road to Tipperary town.

Look for the red signposts for the hotel...

Course map...

Course profile...Gentle slopes and mostly flat...

Course description......The race starts about 200m east of the road junction near the Deebert House Hotel on the R515 road to Tipperary town...

At the road junction, you turn left and south. As you can see from the photo below, on the return leg you will be heading towards the finish line by the hotel.

After a short flat section, you turn right at the next T-junction and head into the town...

Past the courthouse, staying right at the junction and heading up the main street of the town...

At the next junction with Emmet Street, you continue straight ahead. This is where the race returns to the town later.

After about 1km, you come to King's Gate which was once part of the walls of the town of Kilmallock. Access to the north-western part of the town was via the narrow gate as shown below but of course today, the road just skirts around the tower to the right.

At about 0.8 miles, you come to the very prominent church where you turn left....

The road here at first is very slightly uphill as you pass through a residential area but soon, it changes to a narrow country road as you begin to leave the town...

This next mile or so is mostly flat as you head away from the town. At about the 2.5 mile mark, you turn left at a junction and begin heading back towards Kilmallock...

Initially there is a slight climb but it is mostly flat along this narrow country road...

At about the 4 mile mark, you join the Charleville Road...

From here, you head back in towards the town. At about 4.4 miles, the main road takes a turn to the right whereas you will turn off left in towards the centre of the Kilmallock...

You then run through Blossom Gate...another part of the old walls of Kilmallock.

...and how it looked at the start of the 20th Century...

Just on the other side, you complete the loop when you return to the junction where you passed earlier and you turn right for home...

For the last 800m, you run back towards the start line except that at the last T-junction you turn left...

...and the finish line is near the Deebert House Hotel...

Overall.......Starts and finishes in the town of Kilmallock with plenty of the course on quiet country roads. Any hills are very modest and it should prove to be a fast 5 mile course.