Hymany Way facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hymany Way |
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|---|---|
| Length | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Location | County Galway, Ireland |
| Designation | National Waymarked Trail |
| Trailheads | Portumna, Aughrim |
| Use | Hiking |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Any |
The Hymany Way is a fantastic long-distance walking trail located in County Galway, Ireland. It stretches for about 50 kilometers (that's around 31 miles)! This trail usually takes two days to complete. It starts in the town of Portumna and finishes in Aughrim.
This trail is officially recognized as a National Waymarked Trail. This means it's a special route designed for walkers, with clear signs to guide you. The National Trails Office, part of the Irish Sports Council, gives it this important title. The Aughrim Development Company Limited helps manage and look after the trail.
The Hymany Way was created with help from the NTR Foundation. This group is a philanthropic organization, which means they give money to good causes without expecting anything back. The trail was officially opened on September 24, 2010. Councillor Jimmy McClearn, who was the Mayor of County Galway at the time, did the honors. There are even plans to make the trail longer! It might extend from Aughrim all the way to Ballygar, where it would connect with another trail called the Suck Valley Way.
Contents
Exploring the Hymany Way
The Hymany Way offers a journey through different types of landscapes.
Starting Your Adventure
When you begin the trail in Portumna, you'll first follow along the banks of the River Shannon. This is one of Ireland's most famous rivers! After a while, the trail turns away from the river. It heads inland at a place called Friarsland, which is a small area of land near Eyrecourt.
Through Bogs and History
From Friarsland, the trail continues to Clonfert. After Clonfert, you'll cross some unique areas of bogland. Bogs are wetlands where special plants grow, and they're very important for nature. The trail then leads to a place called Cloonascragh. As you get closer to Aughrim, you'll pass by a very important historical site: the location of the Battle of Aughrim. This was a major battle in Irish history.
Part of a Bigger Journey
The Hymany Way is also a section of a much larger project called the Beara-Breifne Way.
The Beara-Breifne Way
The Beara-Breifne Way is a huge walking and cycling route that is still being developed. When it's finished, it will stretch all the way from the Beara Peninsula in County Cork to Breifne in County Leitrim. That's a really long distance across Ireland!
A Historical March
This big route follows the path of a famous historical event. It traces the march of a leader named Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare. He led his followers on a long journey in 1602. This happened after a big battle called the Battle of Kinsale. So, when you walk the Hymany Way, you're walking a small part of a very old and important historical journey!
