12 O'Clock Hills

The 12 O’Clock Hills is a walking and heritage project in East County Clare, set on the hill of Knockanuarha, around 5km south-east of the village of Kilkishen. Rising to a summit of 309 metres, marked by an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar, the hills give walkers wide views across much of the county, taking in West Clare, the Burren and the Shannon Estuary, with Kilkishen village and Cullaun Lake prominent closer to hand.

Three waymarked routes set out from the site, each colour-coded so walkers can self-guide. The Red Trail is an easier heritage walk of roughly 5km following the Crag river and passing local heritage features. The Blue Trail is a more demanding looped route of about 8.5km that climbs up and over the 12 O’Clock Hills summit, while the longer Purple Trail covers around 13km and takes in Loughavarra Hill as well, making for a full day’s outing that calls for suitable footwear, water and supplies.

The main trailhead is at Belvoir, with a large car park laid out over two levels holding around 90 vehicles, along with toilet facilities, benches and footbridges along the way. A second trailhead is available at Snaty. Buses can be accommodated by prior arrangement owing to a height-restriction barrier, and a food van typically operates from the Belvoir car park at weekends. The project celebrates the heritage of the hill dwellers who once lived in the townlands of Upper Belvoir, Crag and Snaty.