Wild Walks: Curraheen walk
This walkway has long been established as an excellent resource for wildlife and people and in the summer of 2021 underwent extensive civil work to install street lighting and a cycle path along its entire route. Coming in just under 5km in length, the trail connects Curraheen Road, Bishopstown, all the way to River Lee field, Cork City.
This trail consists of many different habitats, from mature and young native woodland, ponds, and grassland to high-quality native riparian vegetation along the river, as noted at Murphy’s Farm, Bishopstown.
Just off the main walkway, you will find fantastic natural features thanks to the maturity and variety of habitats in the area. Interesting features include an old tree that has survived abuse from fires being lit in its trunk. A tree of this age constitutes its own habitat as it supports an abundance of biodiversity. Further down the path, within Riparian woodland, you can find a quiet space in the shade of riparian native trees. An old fallen tree acts as a natural bench looking at the white water of the river, creating the perfect spot for birdwatching. Birds are readily seen drinking and bathing along stretches of the river, including the Kingfisher. Furthermore, a secluded pond surrounded by dense woodland provides refuge for wetland and woodland birds, such as the coot, mallard, heron, and moorhen as well as smaller woodland birds in the surrounding trees.
Cork Nature Network also have an Otter trail that follows the Curraheen route. Keep an eye on our website for more details.
Trail entrance
The Curraheen walk can be accessed from multiple sides, with the start or end being near the River Lee or Curraheen Road. Parking is available at Lee field carpark.
Trail length
The complete trail is just under 5 km in length: Lee fields to Eden Hall is 1.80 km, Tennis Village to Pitch and Putt is 1.65km and Pitch and Putt to Curraheen road is 1.30 km
Notable Wildlife
Kingfisher
Irish Name: Cruidín
Scientific name: Alcedo atthis
Kingfishers are known for their small, stocky bodies, thick bill and striking colouration of blues and oranges. They eat small fish and aquatic insects and catch prey by plunging from a perch into the water.
Meadow vetchling
Scientific Name: Lathyrus pratensis
Irish Name: Peasairín buí
A common plant in Irish wet meadows, damp ditches and hedgerows. It is a scrambling plant with long stems and yellow pea-like flowers. Flowering from May to August.
Wild Carrot
Scientific Name: Daucus carota
Irish Name: Mealbhacán
Wild carrot grows best in dry, infertile, lime-rich soil. It can grow up to 1 metre in height between June to September. Look out for it along roads and areas that have been recently disturbed.
Cinnabar caterpillar
Scientific name: Tyria jacobaeae
Irish name: Bolb an leamhan flanndearg
Cinnabar moth caterpillars feed on yellow ragwort, which is otherwise toxic. These caterpillars use this to their advantage and became toxic themselves. This, along with there colourful stripes warns predators to not eat them. Adult moths remain toxic and are red and black for defence.
Common darter
Scientific name: Sympetrum striolatum
Irish name: sciobaire coiteann
This is a small, red, narrow-bodied dragonfly. They breed in all forms of waterbodies and can be seen on wing from as early as May to as late as December. They hover and dart forward to catch prey, given them their name, Common dater.
Caretaker of the Cork Nature Network website
