Laois RTÉ star comes home to Slieve Blooms

Mountrath native Claire Byrne is returning home to her roots in the new season of an RTÉ series which is sure to give Laois and the Slieve Blooms a great tourism boost as the summer begins.

The Laois presenter of Today with Claire Byrne features in the much-loved series Tracks & Trails, which returns on Friday, May 9 at 8pm for its 12th season on RTÉ. The journalist's return home will see her visiting scenic spots in one of the best-known parts of one of Europe's oldest and once highest mountain ranges.

RTÉ told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that apart from offering viewers a fresh and inspiring look at Ireland’s most beautiful walking routes, this season brings even more fresh air as the four-part series is fronted by broadcaster, musician, and podcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.

The show that mixes entertainment with environment, explores seven counties with some well-known Irish personalities.

"Each episode captures heartfelt conversations and scenic adventures, as Doireann and her guests traverse woodland paths, coastal trails, historic sites, revealing not just the natural beauty of the landscape, but also the emotional and cultural connections that make these places so meaningful," said RTÉ. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Glenbarrow Falls. Pic: Kevin Byrne

Laois and Offaly features in the fourth and final episode which sees Doireann take to the trails of the Slieive Blooms with Claire and her Offaly colleague in RTÉ, Fiona Mitchell, who hails from Offaly. 

They'll visit the Glenbarrow Old Mill Loop and the mythical Giant’s Grave Loop in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Mountrath is one of the gateway towns to the Slive Blooms so the series is sure to be a return to her roots for Claire.

Episode 4 screens on Friday, May 30 at 8pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

READ ALSO: Golden Celebration for Slieve Bloom Association

The Slieve Bloom Mountains stretch from near Roscrea in the south west to Rosenallis in the north-west. Looped walking trails have been developed at six trailheads in the Slieve Blooms, Glenbarrow, Clonaslee, Cadamstown, Kinnitty, Glenafelly Forest Car Park and Glen Monicknew. Walking trails are colour-coded by difficulty. The 75 km (47 mi) Slieve Bloom Way can be accessed from any of these trailheads. The Silver River Eco Trail is near Cadamstown.

The mountains are also home to a mountain bike trail.

The Slieve Blooms, along with the Massif Central in France, are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe; they were once also the highest at 3,700 m (12,100 ft). Weathering has reduced them to 527 m (1,729 ft). On a clear day, one can see the high points of the four ancient provinces of Ireland.

This season of Tracks and trails features:

• Episode 1 – May 9th
  Leitrim & Down: Mullaghgarve Mass Rock and Cloone Looped Trail, followed by the North Down Coastal Path
  Guests: Bryan Dobson & Mark Devenport

• Episode 2 – May 16th
  Fermanagh & Wexford: Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the magical Tintern Trails
  Guests: Brooke Scullion & James Kavanagh

• Episode 3 – May 23rd
  Limerick: From Abbeyfeale to Rathkeale on the Limerick Greenway, plus a city walk through Limerick’s historic core
  Guest: Barry Murphy (Hermitage Green)

• Episode 4 – May 30th
  Laois & Offaly: The Glenbarrow Old Mill Loop in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the mythical Giant’s Grave Loop
  Guests: Claire Byrne & Fiona Mitchell

Inviting people to tune in to the new series, RTÉ concludes: "With sweeping views, reflections, and a renewed appreciation for Ireland’s vast natural offerings, Tracks & Trails is a timely reminder of the value of slowing down and reconnecting."