cratloe

A small village on the road to Limerick. Cratloe gets its name from the Irish for land of the Sally trees.

From Woodcock Hill behind it there are extensive views of the Shannon and Fergus estuaries and Shannon town and airport.

There are good forest walks. The Cratloe Woods, originally primeval oak woods now constitute a State forest, on the slopes of Woodcock Hill. They contain many interesting trees. It is said that Cratloe supplied the oak beams for the roof of Westminister Hall, London. And in the 9th century the men of Ulster invaded the MacNamara territory and took away from Cratloe Oak timbers to roof the royal palace of Aileach, near Derry.

At Gallows Hill, some 2km from Cratloe village, there are car park, picnic area, forest walks and viewing points. This area is classed as one of outstanding natural beauty in the National Heritage inventory.<