Minister Ó Cuív launches walking routes for County Clare

Posted on 30/07/09 by Éamon Ó Cuiv

These routes are part of the Burren Walks Project, which is designed to increase the appeal of the North Clare area as an activity holiday destination and to enhance walking facilities for local users.  Ranging from 9km to 26km, the new looped walks are the Carron Loop, the Ballyvaughan Wood Loop and the Black Head Loop.

  

The Burren Walks Project has been further enhanced by the implementation of the recently developed Walks Scheme in the North Clare area.  Aimed at farmers and private landowners, the scheme has ensured the enhancement and maintenance of National Waymarked ways and National looped walks in the area. With the co-operation of almost 50 landowners, the Burren Way walking route has been developed with the extension of the off road sections of this route and the opening up of three new attractive looped walks in the area. 

  

Speaking about the Burren Walks Project, Minister Ó Cuív said:

  

“The Walks Scheme has worked extremely well in the Burren area with up to 50 landowners participating. It has allowed development of the walking infrastructure in a way that heretofore was not possible. The scheme has brought communities together in terms of development, marketing and promotion of the area and has generated a great response from tourism businesses throughout North Clare. Overall the Burren Walks Project will contribute to achieving long term and lasting economic benefits for the area.” 

  

Walkers to the North Clare are not only guaranteed a quality walking experience but also a warm welcome.  The Walkers Welcome Initiative, developed by Fáilte Ireland, is designed to raise the standard of service visitors can expect from their walking holiday in Ireland. 

  

Ciara Scully, Walking Development Officer for Fáilte Ireland, believes the Walkers Welcome will help further develop the walking product in the North Clare area.

  

“This initiative is designed to ensure that walkers can be assured of a warm welcome with ample information and services to help them enjoy their walking experience in the area.  Twenty local businesses and tourism providers have already signed up to help provide red carpet treatment for our visitors.”

     

Welcoming the very successful partnership arrangement for the Burren Walks project John King, Assistant Chief Executive, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Tourism Authority said –

  

“This project has major potential for the future growth of walking tourism for North Clare and the entire Shannon Region. Currently in excess of 517,000 overseas visitors participate in walking holidays annually, generating over 340m in annual revenues for the country.  There is significant opportunity to grow theses numbers and revenues along with domestic visitors to the Burren area.  These new facilities will also be a major amenity to the local community. Following the very successful launch of the new annual Burren Walking Festival, and the Walkers Welcome initiative, we would encourage more local accommodation providers, walking enthusiasts and general tourism operators to get behind the Burren Walks  initiative and exploit the opportunity to grow walking  tourism to the area”. 

  

Under the Shannon Region Trails Programme, which was launched in 2007, Shannon Development have been working in partnership with other bodies and community groups for some time on a master plan for the development and marketing of a network of superb, international standard, trails throughout the Shannon Region, these include walking, cycling, mountain biking and water based trails. The Burren area of North Clare features very strongly in this plan and Shannon Development are have worked with Fáilte Ireland on a number of projects and initiatives in this area including the Doolin Cycle Hub with four new cycle routes just launched in the North Clare area.