The Kindhoof family have been frequent visitors to this area for many years and we were delighted to see a new walk installed which takes visitors around this beautiful headland of Kildoney. This series is intended to complement our nearby Creevy series and is a bit of a longer leg-stretch. (Although your activity is likely to be constantly interrupted as you stop to take in the gorgeous scenery and local wildlife). The views are constantly changing and you will marvel at the enormity of the sky and sea. Take in the sights of Kilbarron Castle to the East, St John's Point and Sliabh Liag across the bay to the North, and then the Erne estuary and Mullaghmore headland as you come round the headland itself towards the town of Ballyshannon, with the Aroo Plateau and the dramatic glacial scenery of Benbulbin and Benwiskin mountains in the background. There is a wide variety of birdlife, including a heron which we have frequently spotted around the area at low-tide, and also look out for sea-otters and dolphins which, we are informed, can occasionally be seen.
The trail starts close to the pier, where parking is available, next to the toilet block at the Creevy Pier hotel which has unfortunately now closed. Local children (& the Kindhoofs) can often be seen jumping from the nearby pier into the Atlantic ocean at high tide, and it has also become a popular place for open sea swimmers! Look for the stile which takes you over the wall and along the well-maintained and signposted path around the headland.
The path takes you through a number of fields in which livestock graze, both cattle and sheep. Please respect the farming community and observe the signs about behaviour in these fields. Note that dogs are not allowed on the path.
The path also takes you very close to the edge of the headland which is steep and rocky in places - take care, particularly in wet and windy weather, and keep children away from the edge. Wear appropriate footwear and take into account the weather conditions before you set out. You are not required to stray from the marked footpath to find any of the caches in this series.
You need to bring your own pen or pencil.
More information about the Creevy Coastal Walk can be found on the SportIreland website: https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/creevy-coastal-walk
This series will be added to in due course to cover the full length of the Kildoney loop.