Really looking forward to St Patrick’s Day and Croom’s 10k run. 

There is quite a bit of work behind the scenes.
Edel creates a logo and the marketing diary so that we can get the word out far and wide. 

Each year we welcome more and more runners to Croom for the run. It is a great way to start the bank holiday,
with a 9 am start there is plenty of time to enjoy the day's celebrations. 

On the day we will have registration at Croom Sports Hall.
The fab T-shirts will be handed out then, too. It is a busy spot.
The last couple of years, we still had lots of people pay on the day. 

 

The run is chip and timed, so no need for jostling at the start.
The route will take you out and down the hill to the bridge, left past Croom Castle towards Islanmore. 

 

Croom Castle was the home of the Fitzgerald’s of Kildare whose war cry and is Croom Abu or (victory to Croom). Croom Abu has since been used in Co Kildare for club mottos and business names due to its links with the Fitzgerald’s.
The riverside walk is great for views of the River Maigue, thanks to Limerick City and County Council for upgrading this walking route and allowing us access for our 10k

 

The route brings you back over the bridge and past the mills in the river. This is the remains of Croom’s industrial past and the modern industrial heart of Croom is Croom Medical. They are an integral part of Croom as one of the largest employers. Thanks to our sponsor, Croom Medical

 

Next up is a lap of Croom Town Park. The Park has views of the river on one side and the other is bound by the majesty of the trees. You will have passed the ancient holy well. I am told that it is marked on the oldest of maps. Red Hugh O Donnell and his army camped out in Croom on his way to fight in Kinsale.
You would think that this Park was most likely to have been his camping ground with the well on hand for water and access to the river.
Hopefully, our daffodils might be in bloom. Fingers crossed. 

 

Leaving the park you are heading away from Croom towards Caherass.
There is a hard right and the water station will be just after this Cross. You are just over half way

The route heads towards Tory Hill.
This is the hill of ancient kings and highway men. In the 1800s, a gold torc was found here and it now resides in the National Museum in Dublin

You are out in the country now in an area of farms and stud farms.
As you head back towards Croom you are in the Golden Vale, the famed land of farming, with its good land, a gift of the ice age. 

The route will take you over one final hill over what was the old railway line.
As you come down the hill you cross the road at Croom National School. T
his lovely building is on land that was given as a wedding gift from the Earls of Dunraven to a local family on which a school was built for the community

When you get back to Croom Sports Hall.
There is water both outside and in the hall

There is also tea and a bun.
So once you have worked out your muscles after the run, I hope you and your cheering committee will relax over a cup of tea. 

 

All along your route today you will be directed by CCDA’s team and a team of volunteers who have gotten up early to be on the route or guided you around Croom. Thanks so much to the volunteers and the people of Croom