Four new walking trails in Mayo join national scheme

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has announced that 22 new trails that will be joining his department’s Walks Scheme.

They include four in Mayo, including two trails located on Clare Island.

The Mayo trails are the Fawnglass Loop and Knocknaveena Loop on Clare Island, Keenagh Loop and Newport Coastal Trail.

In addition, Minister Calleary also announced funding of over €465,000 under the Walks Scheme Development Fund to support and enhance 49 trails that are already on the scheme.

South West Mayo Development Company has received funding for two projects: Burrishoole Loops 1 - Rocky Mountain way viewing point and picnic area (trail resurfacing of existing path to the viewing point and installation of two wheelchair accessible benches on concrete bases, directional and information signage - €10,000) and Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail - safety enhancements at Ayle Caves (re-route of 50m of path, raising up of a 120m section of the path from a wet area where it currently resides and installation of livestock fencing on both sections (€10,000).

Projects supported 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.

Said Minister Calleary: “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,’ Ireland's 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.”