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Monaghan 100218

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Facilities

This rural parkrun has a large car park and toilets are available close to the start line. Public transport is not really an option for this event, but for the very determined, Monaghan town is about two miles from this parkrun and it is connected by bus.

Course

The run is made up of a two lap course through the park. It is a wonderful course with lots of twists and turns and varied landscapes to keep you focused as you go around. The course is almost entirely loose gravel, and there is a significant climb in this lap, so I wouldn’t recommend this event for a PB attempt. The park surroundings are very pretty, with lots of mature trees, terraced lawns, streams, waterfalls and a lake. There are a lot of rhododendrons which should be in flower in early Summer, which would be a good time to visit the park. Despite all of the twists and turns as you go around, the course is not confusing as there are lots of signs and marshals telling you where to go.

Coffee

There is no coffee on site, so parkrunners go to nearby Monaghan to relax after the run.

X Factor

There is an interesting history to this park. It was once the location of a stately home, but the house fell into disrepair, and was eventually demolished. There are still lots of remnants of the old estate in the park, like the very impressive walled garden. A lovely spot to spend a few hours and have a picnic.

Russborough 030218

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Facilities

This parkrun, located in rural County Wicklow, is held in the grounds of the Russborough House demesne. Given the location public transport is not really an option to get to this parkrun, but there is a large car park next to the start line. There are signs up at the entrance of the demesne that say €2 is required for entry to the car park, but this is waived for parkrunners. As you enter the car park there should be an attendant that will open the barrier. Cycling is also an option with bicycle parking rails available, however, the road to Russborough House is quite busy, so cycle with care if you choose this option. There are toilets available close to the start line.

Course

The course consists of two laps around the grounds in front of the house, with a short loop at the start just to make up the distance. The best word I can use to describe this course is variety. There are all kinds of different surfaces, from well paved roads to large and small gravel to grass and woodland paths. There are no steep climbs but there is a sizable elevation difference from one side of the grounds to the other, meaning you will do some climbing but it is gradual. The climbing together with the grass route makes this similar to a cross-country run, which can get quite muddy in wet conditions. Of course you will have to watch your step, but the muddy conditions offer a great challenge for your stability and in my opinion makes for a very fun run. The course is easy to follow. There are two turns which are marshalled. The grounds themselves are very grand. On your way around you will pass the old house, fields with mature trees, some small groves, a walled garden, a pond, and a Japanese garden.

Coffee

There are tea rooms in the main house, but these are only open during the Summer. Blessington is nearby otherwise, with some good options for a post run coffee.

X Factor

The surroundings make this a special parkrun, with lots of interesting attractions on the grounds of the old estate. The friendly and encouraging volunteers also add to the event.

Corkagh 200118

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Facilities

This course, located in the western suburbs of Dublin city, is easily accessed by public bus with many routes running close to the park. The park is surrounded by houses so it is well located for locals, and for those from further afield there is a large car park not too far from the start line. There are toilets available, but only open at 10 a.m. it seems. There are no changing facilities.

Course

There is an unusual shape to this course, almost like two petals on a flower. There are two separate loops: the first goes off to the left from the start line and the second goes over to the right hand side of the start line such that it loops back on itself. It’s a nice design because once you start coming back to the finish line on the second loop it’s easy to gauge how much of the run is left. The surface is mostly paved, with a little bit of gravel. It is a bit uneven in places due to pothole repairs, so watch your step. There is a slight incline on the first loop, but the course is mostly flat. The volunteers have signposted important turns and even marshalled a short cut at the far end of the second loop, which I was impressed by. The park itself is quite large and has lots of open green spaces and little groves here and there. There is a duck pond and interestingly there is a baseball field in the park; a bit unusual for Ireland.

Coffee

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join parkrunners for a coffee after the run this morning. Any comments would be welcome.

X Factor

There is an awful lot to do and see in this park. There is a brief description of the park above, but there are many other sights. There is a pet farm and a bicycle park, and interestingly, there is an arboretum commemorating the Famine. This event offers a great opportunity to get out and get active but also to enjoy the outdoors after the run.

Castlerea 130118

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Facilities

This parkrun is located about a ten minute walk from the centre of Castlerea town. There is ample parking available close to the start line, and toilet and showers are also available. Castlerea can be accessed by a limited number of bus and reail services.

Course

The course consists of three outer laps around the demense followed by one loop around an inner lap. As you go around the outer lap the inner lap is tantalising as you can see it from the outer lap. It is a great feeling when you actually get to turn into the inner lap, even though there is still almost half a kilometre to go. There is a fair bit of climbing in this run. No big hill, but there is a small incline and when you have to cover this four times it all adds up. The surface is a mixture of paved surfaces, with tighly and loosely packed gravel. The park environs are varied, which makes for an interesting run as you go around, passing open fields with large mature trees, and running along next to the Cloonard River. There are some sharp turns on the course, but all turns are well signposted and marshalled.

Coffee

After their run, parkrunners alternate between two local cafes. The coffee is nice but the cafes are located around a 15 minute walk from the run finish.

X Factor

The finish line for this parkrun event is next to an open air swimming pool which is a bit of a novelty. I can imagine that it would be extremely refreshing to go for a swim there after the run. Perhaps only during the summer though. The volunteers at this event are also very friendly and encouraging as always.

Tullow 060118

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Facilities

This rural parkrun is located at Rathwood, a few miles east of Tullow. As a result of its location there is no public transport to this event, but there is a large car park at the site. Toilets are available at a garden centre next to the wood.

Course

The course is made up of two laps around a path through the wood with a short spur at the end of the second lap. The course loops on to itself in places resulting in some contra flow traffic but these areas are well marshalled. Turns are also signposted. The course has some steady inclines so will test your ability to keep powering through, and the surface is mostly loose gravel meaning traction can be low. The route is surrounded by big mature trees, and at one point passes a deer enclosure, which is an interesting distraction.

Coffee

Coffee is had in the restaurant attached to the nearby garden centre. It’s a big place with lots of breakfast options.

X Factor

I am often inspired by the dedication of the parkrun volunteers, but during this run it was one of the parkrunnners that stood out.  As I said above, traction can be low on this course; well it was especially so when I did this run, as there was some black ice on the course. One of the front runners slipped and nearly fell on the ice as he was unaware of it. Rather than carry on, he gave up his run and stayed at the corner with the ice to warn all the other parkrunnners coming behind him. This was a great demonstration of the spirit of parkrun.

Listowel 301217

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Facilities

This parkrun, close to the centre of Listowel, can be accessed by public buses which service the town. There is a car park next to the entrance to the park for those who wish to drive to the event. There are toilet facilities available in the community centre next to the start line, but I actually forgot to check if there are changing facilities, so any information on this would be helpful.

Course

The course consists of three laps on the outer path of the park. There are some twists and turns on the route but all are well sign posted. However, because of the twists and turns, and also because of a fairly substantial climb, this is probably not the parkrun for a PB attempt. This is despite the fact that the entire course is paved. The park has a lot of mature trees and some appealing pathways that are curved in sympathy with the landscape, making this a pleasant place to walk and spend some time.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had in an old picturesque hotel in the town centre about a ten minute walk from the park. The coffee is good.

X Factor

Listowel is a bustling town in North Kerry, with an interesting history surrounding the Earl of Desmond. More recently, the town is possibly better known for its literary tradition and the place where John B Jeanne lived. It is from these streets that Keane got the inspiration for many of the characters (including the typical Kerry Cute Hoor) in his writing, and this gives the place a special feel I think.

Fairview 231217

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Facililties

This parkrun is very accessible, being connected by bus and rail stations, and being surrounded by residential areas. Driving here would not be advised as there is limited parking. There are no toilet or changing facilities.

Course

The run is made up of a three lap course, in a figure of eight shape. The course is very flat, but the surface is split around 60:40, paved:grass. Therefore if the weather isn’t very good the grass sections could get a bit muddy and this may not be the place for a PB. The course is well marked out with little red cones showing the way along with marshalls standing at turns and corners showing you the way.

Coffee

Most of the time parkrunners enjoy a coffee in a local cafe, however today there were some special treats at the finish line as it was Christmas.

X Factor

The volunteers make a huge effort each week to run this event (pardon the pun). The route is very clearly marked out which is important on grass sections. Something that caught my attention at this event, though, was the extra effort the volunteers made to bring some Christmas spirit to the run. Before the run the volunteers pinned some jingle bells to the runners before they took off, which made for an interesting soundscape as we all ran around.

Gorey 251117

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Facilities

This course is located close to the centre of Gorey town, and so is easily accessible for the town residents. Parking is somewhat limited however. Gorey is well connected by bus and rail services if the car is not an option. This event makes use of the dressing rooms and toilets in the park, so you can change at teh park if needed.

Course

The course is a simple loop of the park, which is completed five times. There are marshalls to show you where to go but the route is quite easy to follow. The surface is entirely paved, and flat, so it is possible to do a fast time here, though there are a few sharp turns. Also, watch out for a few bumps in the path in places.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had close to the finish line, with a burker boiler providing hot water for drinks. A great spot to discuss the run.

X Factor

I attended this event on its first birthday, and it was great to see that the event has continued for the last year, mostly thanks to the dedication of the volunteers.

Claremorris 181117

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Facilities

Claremorris parkrun takes place around Clare Lake, which is a short walk from the centre of the town. Due to its proximity to the town centre it is quite accessible for town residents. For those travelling from further afield Claremorris is located on the Dublin- Westport rail line. Anyone deciding to drive to this parkrun, however, will have difficulty in finding parking as spaces are limited in the area. No toilet or changing facilities are available.

Course

The course is mostly flat, though it has a few short ups and downs along the way. The course outline is probably best described as a cotton bud shape. The surface is mostly light gravel, and seems to be well drained, so no fear of muddy patches in bad weather. This event is well run, with marshals and signposts at each turn. The route also has distance markers which are always helpful. The park itself is a very pretty setting, with nice paths and woodlands surrounding the lake.

Coffee

Parkrunnners are able to avail of discounted tea, coffee and scones at a shop across the street from the main entrance. This is a great deal.

X Factor

As you run around this course, every now and then you come across a clearing at the side of the path where you will see some sculptures and art installations. That would be fairly standard for parks all over the country, but what is unique about this park is the sheer wackiness of the sculptures, which include Lego statues and giant installations of furniture, Wellington boots and bizarrely the contents of a mathematical pencil case set.  These pieces provide an entertaining distraction as you run around

Carlow Town 111117

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Facilities

There are bus and rail services to Carlow town, making this is a well connected event. The location of the run, being in the centre of thr town, also makes it easily accessible to the town residents. And for those parkrunnners who choose to drive, there is a large car park close to the start line, though it is not free. Finally, there is a paid toilet in the park, but no changing facilities.

Course

The route for this parkrun is a simple out and back course along the bank of the river Barrow, with a short loop around the town park to finish off. The course is almost entirely flat save for a climb on the bridge over the river. Speaking of the bridge, there are a few tight turns and chicanes which will slow you down. The surface is mostly a mix of gravel and grass, with some small paved sections, which will mean a muddy run on a wet day. The park itself is well maintained and the twists and turns of the river make for a pleasant run.

Coffee

The post run coffee is had in a very nice cafe about a five minute walk from the finish line. The coffee in here was very good.

X Factor

Sometimes when you go out to exercise it can seem like you are the only person in the world putting yourself through this hardship. Part of the beauty of parkrun is the social aspect of running in a group. However, what I thought was special about Carlow is that the Carlow rowing club were out training on the river at the same time that the parkrun was taking place. This was great to see; a whole community of people being out and active. The more we see of this the more normalised it becomes, and this can only be a good thing.