12 Walks Planned the inaugural County Clare Walking Weekend

Clare Sports Partnership and Clare Local Development Company are coordinating a weekend of walking all over the county to celebrate National Trails Day, which is taking place on October 2nd this year, with over 10 guided walks and an orienteering event being  organized by the Walking clubs and guides around the county.

National Trails Day is an all-Ireland event organised by Coillte, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and Fلilte Ireland along with the Countryside Access & Activities Network in Northern Ireland and is aimed at increasing awareness about the fantastic recreation opportunities in the Irish countryside and encourage people to experience a trail in their locality.

The inaugural County Clare Walking Weekend will take place on the weekend of the 30th September to the 2nd October, which is National Trails Day. The weekend is co-ordinated jointly by the Clare Sports Partnership and the Clare Local Development Company’s Rural Recreation Officer, on behalf of the Clare Trails Steering Group. The Clare Trails Steering group is an inter-agency group made up of  Clare Local Development Company, Rural Recreation Officer, Walks Officer, Clare Sports Partnership, Shannon Development, Clare County Council, Burren Way Ltd., Clare Walks Ltd. (East & Mid Clare Way), HSE, Burren Connect, Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and a Landowner representative, which oversees the development and promotion of trails in the County.

Credit must be given to the local clubs and guides who are really to thank, for organizing and running guided walks across the county, free of charge, for this event, and also for organizing their own events like the Burren Peaks walking festival taking place this weekend (www.burrenpeakswalkingfestival.com), and the first ever East Clare Walking Festival taking place on the weekend of October 21st-23rd (www.eastclarewalkingfestival.com ), all of which are fantastic, fun and healthy recreational resources for Clare people, as well as helping to keep Clare on the National and International radar, as a quality walking destination.

Speaking on behalf of the Clare Sports Partnership, John Sweeney, co-ordinator said ‘ we are delighted to be in a position to promote such a weekend in conjunction with the Clare Trails Steering Group, Clare’s Rural Recreation Officer, and indeed the different walking clubs and providers within the county. Walking is an activity that has huge health benefits, and it’s free! We hope that this weekend will be a precursor to an annual weekend event that will tie in with National Trails Day, and get the county out and about using the many fantastic trails in Clare.’

With investment in County Clare from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Governement, Failte Ireland, Shannon Development, Clare County Council and Clare Local Development Company, there are now almost 20 mostly off road and countryside looped walks in Clare, as well as 4 National long distance Waymarked ways, 4 Historic town trails, and 6 Sli na Slainte routes. Eimer McCarthy, Rural Recreation Officer with Clare Local Development Company said “with support from communities and permission from landowners, many spectacular looped walks have been developed over the past few years in Clare. These walks are both a recreational resource for Clare people, as well as attracting visitors from other counties and countries. Some walking routes are maintained by landowners themselves, through a Department funded scheme called the Walks Scheme. Other routes are maintained by local community groups, by the Rural Social Scheme participants, FAS, and more recently by TUS participants in some areas. Public Liability Insurance is provided through Clare County Council for all landowners on these routes. Maps, directions and details of all of mapped and marked walks can be downloaded from www.shannonregiontrails.ie .

All guided walks on Clare’s Walking Weekend in conjunction with National Trails Day are free, will be lead by experienced guides and clubs, and have varying levels of difficulty. There is a walk to suit all. It is hoped that after the weekend, people will be more aware of the walking possibilities in Clare, may consider joining one of the walking, cycling, other outdoor clubs in the county, or make use of the services of the local walking guides. It is recommended to wear suitable footwear, bring raingear, fluid, snacks and mobile phone, and choose a walk to suit your fitness level, when partaking in these walks. Details for the National Trails Day events on Sunday October 2nd are available on www.nationaltrailsday.ie. Weekend events are available on www.claresportspartnership.ie. Details of all approved walking and cycling routes in Clare including downloadable maps are available on www.shannonregiontrails.ie