Ballinough Hills
 
An area worth visiting is the BALLINOUGH HILLS.    
This large rugged landscape was carved out by glaciers during the last ice age. Only recently have pathways been cut through this area which allow visitors to wander through the valleys, forests and hills.   

 
Ferns in high bloom on one of the walkways through the hills. 

These esker landforms are the grassed-over gravel-beds of Ice Age rivers which thundered on their way through tunnels of ice at the base of the glaciers, as they melted 10,000 years ago.   
The esker system on which Clara is built extends all the way   
from Dublin to Galway; in ancient times (when it was known as Eiscir Riada)  it was the most important political boundary in Ireland.
 
 
The following are a selection of photos taken at various 
locations throughout the hills.   
 

A view across the hayfield
 
 
Sunlight through the canopy
 
 
A view from one of the approach roads to the hills. 
 
 
 
Looking skyward through the trees. 
 
 
 
Down the road