Thursday 24^th July, 2008

This September will see the first ever event of its kind taking place across the country with everyone being encouraged to be a part of it - get out and hit the trail!

The first ever National Trails Day was launched today by Eamon Ó Cuív TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs along with David Gunning, Chief Executive of Coillte, Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland and Cormac MacDonnell of the National Trails Office in the Irish Sports Council, accompanied by well known TV personality and recreation expert Kathryn Thomas.

Sunday 28^th September 2008 is the first National Trails Day to be organised in Ireland and everyone is being encouraged to get out and enjoy the huge range of trails available across the country. Ireland has a wealth of trails of many types, from multi access trails for all users to more challenging trails for the serious hill walker or mountain biker. From walking to mountain biking, a casual stroll to a vigorous hike, Ireland's trails are open for business and National Trails Day will see events being organised around the country to suit all ages, abilities and interests. The event is being organised to create an awareness of the trail network that is provided by many organisations free for all to enjoy.

National Trails Day events will cover all trail activities - guided nature walks, mountain biking for beginners, trails maintenance workshops, Leave No Trace awareness walks, and treks of different lengths in some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. So get out and enjoy our nation's trails.

The events will take place in every county in the country and will include Coillte's Mountain Bike Trails and Forest Parks, as well as on National Waymarked Trails and the Fáilte Ireland supported National Loop Trails.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ó Cuív said: "National Trails Day gives everyone an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the rural recreation facilities that we have available. I would hope that National Trails Day would draw the entire community's attention to the benefits of rural recreation, social and health benefits amongst them. With the developments that are underway through partnership between the state agencies, with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the local communities, trails are being made available to attract visitors from our own country and from abroad to rural areas. For the local communities, there are economic advantages from this and I hope also that the local communities themselves will make use of the facilities in their own areas."

David Gunning, Chief Executive of Coillte said: "Getting out and about in Ireland has never been easier with a range of facilities being opened and upgraded, including 35 sites on Coillte lands which have been upgraded with funding from Fáilte Ireland. These include mountain bike trails and family friendly cycle trails in Counties Wicklow, Limerick, Galway and Cork, as well as many new and upgraded walking trails across the country. Coillte is Ireland's largest provider of outdoor recreation and we are delighted to be involved in this exciting plan for National Trails Day. We have a wide range of trails on our properties and more information is available on them from www.coillteoutdoors.ie."

Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland said: "Fáilte Ireland with support from the Department of  Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is investing heavily in developing and upgrading trails throughout the country, including national looped walks, waymarked ways, trails on Coillte owned sites and the development of new cycling routes and hubs. The National Trails Day is a great way to highlight the abundance of trails now available and accessible throughout the country and we are delighted to support this initiative. There is considerable potential to attract further visitors to Ireland for activities such as walking and cycling and we will continue our investment in the leisure activity area.   Last year 488,000 overseas visitors engaged in hillwalking and hiking holidays and 110,000 participated in cycling holidays".

Speaking from the National Trails Office in the Irish Sports Council, Cormac MacDonnell highlighted that: "In addition to our forest recreation areas, a growing network of both urban and rural walking and cycling trails have developed in our National Parks, along our stunning coastline, canals and river banks and in many scenic locations right around the country. A number of events will be hosted on many of these trails during National Trails Day 2008 and we encourage everyone to come along with family and friends and enjoy the day."

ENDS.

  

For further information contact:

National Trails Day Project Co-ordinator,
Daithi de Forge at 086 205 8873 or at daithi.deforge@coillte.ie

Mary Cosgrave – PR Manager, Fáilte Ireland
01 8847145 / 087 226 0411 mary.cosgrave@failteireland.ie

 

Note to Editors:

The partners in National Trails Day are Coillte, Failte Ireland, Comhairle na Tuaithe, The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and they are calling on everyone to get involved.

If you want to take part or find out more information you will be able to log on to the website which goes live later today  www.nationaltrailsday.ie for information of events in your locality.

There will be an advertising campaign in September in national and local press with details of specific events.