New National Trails Office established
New National Trails Office established to create world-class trails network in Ireland – Minister John O’Donoghue,T.D
- Irish Sports Council trails strategy to promote participation in outdoor recreation applauded -
The first steps in implementing a new strategy to create and maintain a world-class trails network in Ireland were taken in Killarney today (January 12, 2007) when the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue announced the establishment of a National Trails Office.
The new Office will be established under the Irish Sports Council in 2007, with a budget of €650,000, to guide the implementation of the Strategy, including establishment of new trails, development of existing facilities and a promotional and marketing campaign. Minister O’Donoghue launched the new Office, together with an Irish Trails Advisory Committee, following recommendations made by the Irish Sports Council in the first ever Irish Trails Strategy.
The Irish Sports Council developed the Strategy with the aim of creating and maintaining a world-class trails network that is safe, accessible and easy to use. Its focus, which is in line with the Council’s overall ‘Building Sport for Life’ strategy, is to ensure that more people are active and participating in recreational sport.
“The new strategy has a dual purpose. It not only involves practical measures to create a world class trails network in Ireland but it is also focused on creating a new culture of outdoor recreation in Ireland, making new and existing trails accessible to as many people as possible,” said Minister O’Donoghue at the launch.
“It is currently estimated that 22% of adults in Ireland are completely inactive and that 66% of adults are not meeting the minimum levels of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organisation. This new strategy is a means of addressing that while also contributing to the annual economic impact of trail usage by Irish residents which is estimated at €307 million as well as to the annual economic value of international walking and cycling tourism which is estimated at €218 million”, he added.
“The decision to establish the National Trails Office and Irish Trails Advisory Committee is a positive step towards realising the longer-term objectives of this strategy over the next ten years. During that time the Office will position Ireland in the top tier of European countries offering quality recreational facilities throughout the country and will establish the country as a premier international tourism destination for the broad range of outdoor recreational activities associated with a diverse trail network. Promoting and facilitating the highest attainable level of usage of the recreational trails among Irish people will also be part of its remit”
Recreational trails come in many different forms, from the familiar Waymarked Ways to urban pathways, canal towpaths, forest trails, and including routes for bikes, horses and boats. The critical features for successful trails are they are safe, practical and easy to use for the majority of people. Features include looped routes, signage, multi-use, durable surfaces, accessible, information and supporting infrastructure such as shops and campsites
Ossie Kilkenny, Chairman, Irish Sports Council commented: “The National Trails Office will make a major contribution to the Council’s target of increasing participation in sport and physical activity. A lot of work has gone into understanding what the population want in terms of outdoor recreation. The strategy seeks to address those identified needs and to boost the area of outdoor recreation for the local population and the tourist market”.
A recreational trail can be a land or water based route primarily intended for recreational purposes including walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing and horse riding. Ireland has approximately 8,300 kilometres of developed walking trails. These include the 32 National Waymarked Ways, a network of walks in 25 counties promoted by the Irish Sports Council.
Welcoming the announcement that the new National Trails Office is to be established under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, Chief Executive said: “The implementation of this strategy will create a trails network which will respect and protect our countryside and which will significantly improve opportunities for Irish people and visitors to participate in responsible outdoor recreation and to enjoy everything that is great about the Irish outdoors”.
“Outdoor recreation has enormous potential in Ireland. We intend to develop recreational trails that the whole community can access and to develop them in a way that attracts people to outdoor physical activity. The new National Trails Office will guide the creation of the new trails network, including the establishment of new trails, the development of existing facilities and the development of a marketing campaign in partnership with Fلilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland,” Mr. Treacy added.
The Irish Trails Strategy is cross-sectoral initiative that seeks to enhance the health, well being and quality of life of all Irish residents and attract many more visitors from around the world. The trails respect and protect the countryside and offer communities and people throughout Ireland the benefit of their use and offer the opportunity to become more active in the Irish outdoors.
Representatives of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Fلilte Ireland, Coillte, The Forest Service, The National Parks & Wildlife Service, Waterways Ireland, the Heritage Council and the Irish Heart Foundation attended the launch, reflecting the many agencies that were involved in the development of the strategy. These agencies will continue to be involved in the implementation of the operational plans of the National Trails Office.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Paul McDermott Irish Sports Council 087-6486295
Ian McClure O’Herlihy Communications 01-6602744/087 2830600