Location....Doneraile is located about 6 miles or 10 kms to the north-east of Mallow in North Cork.
Directions.......
From Mallow.....Take the N20 as far north as Newtwopothouse and take the R581 for Doneraile (clearly signposted).
From Buttevant....As you enter the town from the north on the N20, take a left at the first crossroads. The R522 to Doneraile is signposted in advance.
From Mitchelstown.....Take the N73 for Mallow. About 5 kms after Kildorerry, look for the turn off right at a minor crossroads in the countryside. Doneraile and Buttevant as signposted in advance.
From Castletownroche....Doneraile is signposted as being 10 kms from here. Follow the signposts from here. Note the two junctions on the N73 that you have to cross.
Course....The race starts and finishes in the town of Doneraile and includes part of the park as well.
Description.....The race starts outside the Protestant Church at the northern side of the town of Doneraile...
Initially, it's downhill to the bridge over the Awbeg River but then there is a gradual ascent up through the town. After about 500m, you pass the Catholic Church and then left into the park through this gate...
This is a quiet part of the park that is usually closed off tot he public. At 0.5 miles, you run past the side of Doneraile Court...
After a short run through some trees. the road turns to the right and you come out in front of the main house...
You take a left here and downhill. This is the start of a large loop within the park...
After you complete the loop, you return to this point again and run back towards the entrance where you entered the park. The finish line is near the church there.
To get a better idea of what the park looks like, see the photos and videos below.
Overall......Doneraile Park is really a great spot for a race. Most of it is inside in the park and it must be one of the most scenic parts of North Cork. Any hills are very modest and the course is reasonably fast. Magic spot on a sunny day.
Some photos from Doneraile Park....
Additional info....
The Steeplechase......While the word 'steeplechase' today is associated with an Olympic track event or a horse race, the very first steeplechase took place here in Doneraile in the 18th century.
By most accounts, the first steeplechase race was held in 1752 in County Cork, Ireland, where a horseman named O’Callaghan engaged Edmund Blake in a match race, covering approximately 4 1/2 miles from Buttevant Church to St. Mary’s Doneraile, whose tower was known as St. Leger Steeple. Indeed, church steeples were the most prominent — and tallest — landmarks on the landscape, and the sport took its name from the chase to steeple.
Drawing on that tradition, this 5 km race goes from the steeples of the two churches in the town.
Doneraile 5 km race...from steeple to steeple
