Cavan Monaghan Rural Development organised a ‘Walks Trail Development Workshop’ which attracted significant interest from across the Island of Ireland. The speakers provided the participants with an overview of the processes involved in developing walking trails to meet the needs of the tourists and for the benefit of the wider local communities.

Speakers included:
Jean Boydell - National Waymarked Way Advisory Committee/Irish Sports Council - http://www.walkireland.ie
James McMahon - Chairperson, Monaghan Waymarked Way
Martin McGuigan - Walking Guide, Walk with Marty - http://www.walkwithmarty.com
Deirdre Lewis - CSA Consulting
Fiona Bryant- North Sperrins Heritage Trail
Mark Rowlette - Failte Ireland http://www.walking.ireland.ie
Paddy Sherry - Knockatallon Rambling Club, Co Monaghan

The organisers were delighted with the turnout and the feedback from the workshop participants was positive. The speakers came from the North & South of Ireland and provided best case examples of walking trail development strategies. The speakers and participants at the workshop came from a wide range of walking interest groups including; Countryside Access Officers from Northern Ireland, Hill-Walking Clubs from Cavan, Dungannon, Newry & Mournes and Monaghan, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Monaghan Waymarked Way Committee, Irish Sports Council, Fáilte Ireland, Walking Guides and representatives from a large number of community groups across Cavan and Monaghan.

One key theme that was explored during the workshop was the need for hill-walking clubs to give something back to the community, by working with community groups in the development of trails. Paddy Sherry from Knockatallon Ramblers provided a good example of a hill-walking club and a community group working hand-in-hand in the development of walking trails in Co Monaghan.

Mark Rowlette from Fáilte Ireland, outlined details on a new walks development initiative that they were promoting for the development of ‘looped walks’. Mark said that; ‘Looped walks will provide opportunities for visitors to visit and stay in rural areas while enjoying the overall appeal of these areas’. There are currently 14 of these new looped walks have been established in Ireland in 2006. They hope to develop further looped walks in 2007 and funding will be available for communities and other interest groups to develop these walks.

John Toland, Tourism Development Officer CMRD and organiser of the workshop said that; the range of speakers and the experiences that they presented helped to provide the participants with concrete information, as everyone participated fully in the workshop. The presentations and the contact details for the organisations offering support in the development of walking trails and hill-walking clubs is available from www.cmrd.ie


Click on the name of the speaker to download their presentation
John Toland
Jean Boydell
Martin McGuigan
Deirdre Lewis
Fiona Bryant
Mark Rowlette

Guidelines for the development and marking of waymarked ways
These guidelines are published in partnership by the National Waymarked Ways Advisory Committee of the Irish Sports Council and the Heritage Council as the need for up-to-date guidelines on the integrated development of waymarked routes has become apparent to both agencies. The purpose of the publication is to advise groups on the process to ensure the long-term sustainability of a route, whether long-distance or short loop, and the avoidance of pit-falls. It is aimed primarily at local development committees but should be of use to other agencies involved in such activities.
Published March 2002, ISBN 1-9011-37-37-6

This Workshop was Part-financed by the European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, and managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Border Action’