Micheál O hEithir

Community Walking track

The GAA and associated groups encourage you use this community walking track. The more that the track is used by the community, the more local groups and the GAA will invest in its future so please use it and encourage friends to avail of this service.

The track does have rules and these can be viewed below. Also membership of the track is required by everyone on the GAA grounds for insurance reasons. Many people and families are covered through player membership but for those not covered in this way you can buy individual membership to cover the track for €10. See clubzap for track membership

Opening Event

Community spirit and motivation wais very much alive in the beautiful west Clare village of Ballynacally.  After a joint initiative by Ballynacally Tidy Towns, the local Development Association and Clondegad GAA Club the new Micheál O hEithir community walking track has been completed.  It forms a 500 meter circuit around Clondegad GAA pitch – “Páirc Micheál O hEithir” originally named in  honour of the well known broadcaster known as “the voice of the GAA” whose father hailed from Paradise in Ballynacally.
This track offers safe walking facilities for all ages avoiding the busy roads and providing lighting and nearby parking facilities and is also in close proximity to the National School.  The project was undertaken after securing funding from Clare Co. Council which will cover the majority of the costs. Most of the remaining costs were raised on the opening night of the track on Friday 6th of April in a novelty event termed “The Midnight Mile” and it drew a large attendance.  Even though the event was scheduled for midnight registration and PARKING was at the local community centre from 9 pm till midnight offering the opportunity to anyone who wished to walk at anytime during those hours. Local  groups provided refreshments allowing the walkers to mingle a while and enjoy the community spirit. A large number of Musicians from the area and beyond provided entertainment on the night in the hall while Con Moynihan ran an amplified playlist of music at the pitch to entertain the walkers. The Raffle on the night had some splendid prizes and raised €800+ which when added to registrations gave a grand total of €2850 in total.
It was hoped this event would gather walkers of all ages and it did and what nicer way to spend a while than walking with friends by moonlight in this splendid tranquil rural setting. This project was truly an  example of teamwork - where coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success -  in a village that scores highly in the Tidy Towns Competition and where the local Clondegad GAA team reached the County Final in 2017. Come join with us and walk “The Midnight Mile”.  Go n-éirí an bothar leat!" (pp Clare Champion)

Pictures taken on the "Midnight Mile" launch night

Thank you

The committee would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out either in preparation of the track or for the opening event. They also extend their appreciation to those who gave prizes for the raffle. Thanks is also due to PJ Kelly and Clare County Council for the Part funding received.

Membership

Membership of the track is €10 unless you are already covered through club membership. This is necessary for insurance reasons and can be paid to any Clondegad mentor or officer. Forms are available at Clubzap and the fee can be given to any club mentor or officer.