Ireland’s Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has announced 22 new trails that will be joining his department’s Walks Scheme, as well as more than €465,000 in funding for projects to support and enhance 49 trails already on the Walks Scheme.
The 22 new trails announced today are spread over 10 counties and include trails such as Siúlóid an tSáis in Kerry, involving 40 landowners, and the Keenagh Loop in Mayo, with more than 20 landowners. There are also two trails located on Clare Island.
Projects for existing trails include small-scale trail surface improvements, signage and waymarking, new picnic and recreation areas, and rerouting of trails away from busy roads. These projects will be led by local development companies in collaboration with landowners, community trail management organisations and other stakeholders.
Calleary said: “In Ireland, one of our most valuable resources is our beautiful countryside. We are very fortunate to have wonderful walking trails all across the country and to have generous landowners who are willing to allow the public access to trails that cross their lands.
“I am pleased to announce today the approval in principle for 22 trails to join the Walks Scheme, as well as funding to support the further enhancement of 49 trails already on the scheme. My department is committed to supporting the development, maintenance and promotion of recreational infrastructure in line with the aims of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors,’ Irelands national outdoor recreation strategy.
“I want to thank the land owners in particular, for providing these opportunities. There is no doubting the health and wellbeing benefits provided by these trails, and the economic impact they can also provide by driving visitor numbers to rural Ireland.”
The announcement fulfils a commitment in Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, to increase the number of trails on the Walks Scheme to 150.
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said: “This department is committed to supporting the local development companies who in turn are working in collaboration with community groups in the development and enhancement of these trails. I wish to thank all the local community groups involved for their work.
“The positive impact that these trails have on local communities cannot be overstated. I would encourage everyone to seek out their local trail and to discover the beauty of the countryside around them.”
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It offers a blueprint for a thriving and inclusive rural Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is a cross-government stakeholder-led strategy which was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe. The strategy will lead, guide and facilitate the sustainable development and management of the outdoor recreation sector for the next five years. It also aims to increase participation, to realise social, health and economic benefits.
The Walks Scheme
The Walks Scheme facilitates the development and maintenance of key walking trails by private landholders. The scheme is administered by 22 Local Development Companies (LDCs) who deliver the scheme in their area on behalf of the department.
The department funds 23 rural recreation officers (RROs) in these LDCs, with a contribution from Fáilte Ireland, to assist with the delivery of the scheme and support other rural recreation initiatives at a local level.
There is currently approval in principle for 142 trails to be included on the Walks Scheme. To date, 101 trails have been brought onto the scheme with work under way to bring the remaining trails onto the scheme as soon as possible. This will entail the LDCs identifying landowners along the trail and developing plans for each of them which will set out the work involved in maintaining their section of the trail.
The addition of the 22 new trails will being to 164 the number of trails with approval in principle to join the Walks Scheme.
List of 22 trails approved in principle to join the Walks Scheme
Cavan – Bruse Hill Walkway
Cork – Yew Tree Hill Loop Walk
Kerry – Siúlóid an tSáis
Leitrim – Fowley’s Fall
Leitrim – O’Rourke’s Table
Limerick – An Gleann Beag Loop
Limerick – Lough Ghe Way
Limerick – The Knights Walk
Mayo – Fawnglass Loop – Clare Island Loops
Mayo – Knocknaveena Loop – Clare Island Loops
Mayo – Keenagh Loop
Mayo – Newport Coastal Trail
Roscommon – Carrowbehy/Cahir Raised Bog Walk
Roscommon – Kiltullagh Church Walk
Roscommon – Knockvicar Looped Bog Walk
Roscommon – Tarmon Bog Walk
Tipperary – Vee Valley
Waterford – Ramp Boreen Trail
Wexford – Jean Kennedy Smith Trail
Wexford – Rosslare Cliff Walk Trail
Wexford – Urrin Riverside Trail Enniscorthy
Wexford – Ringwood Trail
