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Facilities

This is a rural parkrun and so public transport to this event is not available. However, there is plenty of room for parking cars, and I was pleased to see that a few parkrunners cycled to the event. There is a portaloo near the start/finish line for parkrunners, but there are no changing facilities.

Course

The course is pancake flat, and is wide open, so be prepared for a breeze. This of course is to be expected since this run takes place around a wind farm. The surface is coarse gravel and is a bit loose in places so watch your step. The course is a lollipop shape consisting of an out and back section with a big loop at the end. The route is quite easy to follow, but marshalls guide the way at any turns. As mentioned, this event takes place around a windfarm and the giant turbines make for an interesting distraction as you go around on your run.

Coffee

There is no cafe nearby, so parkrunners enjoy a coffee at the finish line when the run is over. A great opportunity to discuss your thoughts on the course and the conditions with the other participants.

X Factor

This event is quite remote in many ways, with few signs of life around it. This makes for a peaceful setting. But then when you look at the cluster of wind turbines, and consider that they are powering thousands of homes and businesses in the area, it makes this quite a special and unique place also.

 

Facilities

This parkrun is located to the east of Dublin city centre and is very close to the centre, so needless to say, there is not much parking available here, but public transport options to the event are plentiful. The park is within a residential area so is a short walk for locals. There are no toilets or changing facilities at the park though.

Course

The course is made up of a loop followed by an out and back section, combined in a figure of eight mode. The distance is covered with one and a half laps of this course. The course is mostly paved and flat, with a short but fairly significant climb on gravel at the end of the out and back section. The route is fairly exposed, with the loop going around an open area of grass, and the out and back section facing out to the Irish Sea. This means there are great views out to the sea, but can also lead to some punishing conditions if the weather is bad.

Coffee

Parkrunnners at this event go to a cafe in Sandymount which is a five minute walk from the finish line. Sandymount is a bustling little village on a Saturday morning and it is nice to sit back and soak this up with a good coffee.

X Factor

The most remarkable feature of this parkrun is its proximity to one of Dublin’s most famous landmarks, the Poolbeg towers. Now disused, these towers are much loved by the Dublin people. So much so, that a plan to knock them down was blocked from going ahead. The run also goes through a nature reserve, which is an interesting contrast to the industrial chimney stacks and warehouses of Dublin Port in the background.

Facilities

This parkrun is easily accessible by public transport, with Donabate train station being about a ten minute walk from the start line. Bus services are also available. The park is close to the town of Donabate so is a short walk for residents. There is a large car park for those who wish to drive to the park. Toilets are available close to three start line.

Course

This course can be best described as one big loop with two out and back spurs. The course is mostly paved except for a short grass section at the start. The course is quite flat and sheltered, so this could be a good parkrun you attempt a PB. However, the u turns at the end of the spurs will cost you valuable seconds in your PB attempt. The course is well sign posted and marshalled, even having coloured bollards at some of the corners. The park itself is very beautiful, being an old Georgian estate, there is some nice mature woodland and nice architecture around the park. Bill Watterson’s  character Calvin once said that Autumn is nature’s fireworks display. Well there is a great view of that display in thus park, the burnt orange of Horse Chestnut leaves being a particular delight.

Coffee

Post run coffee is had in a cafe at the back of the Georgian house, and opens out to the main courtyard. It is a Dewalt nice setting and serves nice coffee

X Factor

Apart from the beauty of this park, there is an interesting history to the place. The house and demense was owned by a family called Cobbe until quite recently, and unusually, the family still has rights of residence in the house, though it is owned by the council. I was lucky to arrive at this event on its second anniversary, and the volunteers brought cakes for all to enjoy.

Facilities

This parkrun, located at the eastern end on Dungloe town, has the use of a large car park at a nearby supermarket. Being a small town the run is also within walking distance for residents. For travellers from further afield there is a bus service to Dungloe, but possibly not before the start time. Interestingly, for anyone travelling from Dublin or Glasgow, there is an airport just ten minutes drive from Dungloe. There are no toilets or changing facilities available at this event.

Course

This course consists of three clockwise laps around a small loop. There are not many sign posts or marshals to show the way but they are not really needed as it is very straightforward. The course is mostly light gravel, perfect for running, though puddles can develop during wet conditions. The course is mostly flat, with a few inclines. The course is a bit exposed on the northern end, and given the location close to the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean you will certainly feel any weather that may be about in this section. The course goes along next to Dungloe Lough, and has great views out over the lough and its islands.

Coffee

The main places for coffee are back in towards the town centre, which require a walk or short drive. Coffee was ok.

X Factor

I think there is always something special about these places on the western edge of Ireland. The remoteness, the scenery, the Atlantic, and the weather that brings. There is a certain type of resilience needed to live here. That resilience comes out in the dedication of the parkrun volunteers and when you top that off with the friendliness and welcoming attitude of all the people in this place it makes for a very special parkrun.

Facilities

This parkrun is located in Rinville park which faces out into Galway Bay. The run is not really accessible by public transport, without a long walk, but there is plenty of car park spaces. Toilets are available in the middle of the park.

Course

The course is in a figure of eight shape, and two laps must be completed. The route is entirely paved. There is a steady climb about three quarters of the way through the lap, which is a lot tougher than what it looks from afar. So, this run is maybe not the place for a PB. However, PBs are not imporant when you are enjoying the scenery around this park which is very nice. There are great views out over the bay from the top of the hill.

Coffee

Parkrunners go to a cafe in Oranmore village which is a bit of a trek from Rinville. The coffee and cafe is very nice however.

X Factor

Running around with the Atlantic in view is always a special thing in my opinion, and there are great views of the sea from this park.

Facilities

Parking is limited for this parkrun but it is well serviced by Dublin Bus routes. The park is in the middle of residential area so the run is very accessible for local residents. Toilets are available in the shopping centre close by.

Course

The course follows a pan and handle type route, with an out and back stretch and a loop around the pond in the middle. The route is mostly flat, with some small climbs. The route is mostly paved as well, though there can be some puddles and mud along the way after rain. The park itself is very pretty, with lots of mature woodland and a pond. There are some interesting features around the park like a bandstand and some old ruins.

Coffee

The Templeouge high street is nearby with different coffee options. I got a nice coffee in one of the cafes there.

X Factor

This event is one of the newer events in Ireland. There is a large group of volunteers that keep the event going which is great to see.

 

Facilities

This is a rural parkrun and is only really accessible by private transport. Biking may not be the best option as the entrance to the park is on a busy road. There is ample parking available, which must be paid for, though I beleive parkrunners can get a reduced rate. There are toilets availble close to the start line.

Course

The course goes through the forest park in a figure of eight shape. The path is almost entirely tightly packed gravel, but watch your step as the path has slightly eroded in places and mud can develop. There are a lot of twists and turns on the course but these are signposted and marshalled. There are distance markers along the route also. The course is mostly flat, with a few small inclines over some bridges. The park surroundings are really beautiful, being made up of mature woodland mostly. I imagine this place will offer some spectacular sights once Autumn sets in. Then of course there is the lake as well, with some nice views out to the castle.

Coffee

There is a centre next to the finish line which hosts a cafe with all sorts of foods and drinks for hungry and thirsty parkrunners after the run.

X Factor

Other than the extreme beauty of this place, I was reminded here once again of the great work that the parkrun volunteers do. Once I had finished my coffee, I walked out of the cafe and looked to the finish line to see that the volunteers were all busy at work cleaning up and organising after the run. Their dedication is an inspiration.

 

 

Facilities

This parkrun is located on the outskirts of Clonmel town in Powerstown race track. There is loads of parking available, and car is probbly the best option to get to this event, as it is a good walk from public transport options. The way to the track is well sign-posted but the track itself is a bit hidden, with the entrance just off the N24 and made up of two curved walls with pillars. There are toilets available but no changing facilities.

Course

The course is consists of two laps around the race track. It is quite straightforward. There is a significant incline in the lap, and considering you have to do it twice, there is a fair share of climbing in this run. So, although the course is mostly paved, this is maybe not the place for a PB attempt. The views from the top of the course are fantastic, with what I am guessing are the Comeragh mountains in full view.

Coffee

Coffee is had at a cafe down the road from the course; again, driving is recommended. Many breakfast options available.

X Factor

Just like Naas parjrun, there is something strange about the fact that this is a run around a horse racing course. It feels a bit bizarre. Clonmel is one of the newer parkrun events in the country and it is great to see it being established with a good volunteer base.

Facilities

This parkrun is located close to the centre of Letterkenny town and is about a ten minute walk from the bus station. There is parking available at the park and around the grounds of the adjacent hospital. Toilets are available near the start line.

Course

The course is made up of three laps of the park and the hospital grounds. The surface is paved all the way around, but there are a few potholes to look out for. There is a good share of climbing in this event with a sharp pinch soon after the start of the lap. The park has some nice mature trees and open green areas, with a bowling green also, and there are some interesting architectural features on the old hospital buildings, though some are now in disuse.

Coffee

The parkrun volunteers put on tea and coffee in an old church building next to the start line. The building has been converted such that it now has two internal floors, and on the second floor you are quite close to the ornate ceiling and stained glass windows of the church, which I found interesting.

X Factor

There is a large group of volunteers at this parkrun. Their commitment, and that of all parkrun volunteers continues to inspire.

Facilities

This parkrun is centrally located in Tralee town park making it easily accessible for town residents. There are pay and display car parks next to the park and Tralee town centre is well serviced by bus and rail services. Toilets are available at the entrance to the park.

Course

The course is made up off three laps around the outskirts of the park. The route is fairly straightforward, but there are route markers also. The course is entirely paved and is mostly flat, so it is possible to do a very quick time here, there are however a few sharp turns that will slow you down, especially a hairpin turn at the far end of the park. The park itself is very pretty, with a large rose garden. There are lots of nice features, monuments and statues around the park to catch the eye.

Coffee

Discounted coffee and scones are available at a nearby hotel, which are quite nice.

X Factor

Tralee is, of course, the home of the International Rose of Tralee festival, and I was fortunate enough to come here the weekend of the festival. The festival brings a great buzz to the town and this is very enjoyable to experience. The legacy of the festival can be seen around the town, most notably at the list of participants monument in the park, making this a nice event to visit any time of the year.