National Trails Day 2011 – Sunday, October 2nd

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is happening again this year on Sunday 2nd October. This is a day for promoting Ireland’s wonderful network of trails and for encouraging people young and old to come out for a walk, cycle or paddle in the great outdoors!

Last year 186 events (including walking, cycling, water and educational events) were held across the country and it is hoped that we can break the 200 event mark this year!

The partners in National Trails Day are now asking individuals, agencies and organisations involved and interested in trails all over the country to consider organising an event this year.

Events can include walking, cycling and equestrian events, guided canoe trips, family orienteering challenges, “Leave No Trace” hikes, trail conservation work, heritage walks and much more. If you have an idea for an event in your locality or county, check out the website www.nationaltrailsday.ie for some guidelines and when ready submit an event form online

Search by county, theme or suitability to find an event which best suits you.  From canoeing on the Liffey to an edible trail around Cape Clear, family orienteering to trail walking workshops, there are plenty to chose from.

Would you like to organise an event?  Download the National Trails Day 2011 Organising an Event document for more information and then upload your event thrugh the online form!

For information on trails near you, visit:
www.coillteoutdoors.ie
www.irishtrails.ie
www.discoverireland.ie
www.walkni.com

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Irish Sports Council and Coillte extend partnership

Kieran Mulvey and John Treacy of the Irish Sports Council and David Gunning, Coillte agreed an extension to the very successful trails and forest recreation programme that has been in operation for the last three years and supports active participation in outdoor activities and rural tourism.

The initiative, which supports a national technical trails advisor and three regional trail managers within Coillte has delivered many new trail and forest recreation projects throughout the country over the past three years and has also lead to very successful initiatives like National Trails Day, which will run again for the fourth year on the 2nd October 2011. €260,000 has been put in place by the Irish Sports Council to fund the programme with Coillte for 2011/12.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, David Gunning, Chief executive of Coillte, said: “Coillte contributes significantly to the economic and commercial life of the country through commercial activities, and our recreation offering is extremely important in making Ireland a better place to live and also in supporting rural communities through tourism based on the forest and trail infrastructure.”

“The Programme with the Irish Sports Council is important in supporting our ability to deliver these valuable public goods, ” he added. Irish Sports Council chairman, Kieran Mulvey also highlighted the programme as being “an excellent example of two state organisations working together to deliver benefits to citizens and tourists alike”

Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, said that “this initiative between the Irish Sports Council and the Coillte supports active participation in a whole range of outdoor activities, right across the country, and this was very positive”

He added: “activities such as walking, hiking, running and biking are all supported by this programme which not only improve peoples physical health but also their mental well being” John also expressed his gratitude to Coillte for their positive and progressive work in developing and promotion outdoor recreation in forest areas.

Staff within Coillte’s recreation team and the Irish Sports Council’s National Trails Office will continue to work in partnership on a number of new and exciting trail and forest recreation projects over the next year, as part of the initiative.