Two new walking routes for West Clare which are set to increase visitor numbers in the area, were launched today (Sunday 25th July 2010), by Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D. The two new looped walks are the Doonbeg Loop (8km long), and the Tullaher Loop (20km long). They are now designated as national Loop Walks.
Speaking at the launch of the new walks, Minister Killeen said – “The Doonbeg Loop Walks Project is a wonderful example of partnership in action with the local community working with state agencies to make the project a reality. The growing potential in the walking holiday market with 1.6 million holidaymakers already enjoying this activity will contribute to achieving long term and lasting economic benefits for the area.”
The new routes have been designed to increase the appeal of the area as an activity holiday destination and to enhance walking facilities for local users. The Doonbeg Loop Walks Project is a collaborative effort between Shannon Development, Clare Local Development Company, Fáilte Ireland, Doonbeg Community Development Ltd, Clare County Council, and the local community.
Welcoming the very successful partnership arrangement for the Doonbeg Walks project John King, Assistant Chief Executive, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Tourism Authority said – “This project has major potential for the future growth of walking holiday in West Clare and the entire Shannon Region. Latest statistics show that walking in Ireland is one of the top activities enjoyed by holidaymakers with 800,000 visitors from overseas and 860,000 holidaymakers from Ireland enjoying this activity. Projected trends show the huge potential for further growth in this market. We are delighted to have worked with our partners to develop the new loop walks in Doonbeg which form part of 5 new walking routes we have developed in the Shannon Region over the past year, 3 of them in Co. Clare. We have also recently started working with the wider West Clare community in identifying additional walking routes and loops that could be developed in this area.”
The walks are part of the Shannon Region Trails initiative which was launched in 2007 by Shannon Development. Under this initiative the company has been working in partnership with other bodies and community groups on a master plan for the development and marketing of a network of international standard, trails throughout the Shannon Region, these include walking, cycling, mountain biking and water based trails. County Clare features very strongly in this programme and Shannon Development have worked with a range of partners on a number of projects and initiatives in County Clare among them four new cycle routes launched last year in the North Clare area.
In addition, this week Minister Killeen has announced that €186,490 has been allocated by Failte Ireland to the Clare Coastal Walks project for the development of a 12.7km linear route along the coast between Doolin village and Hags Head, near Liscannor village. This project has been the result of a partnership between Shannon Development, Clare County Council, local communities and landowners, Clare Local Development Company and the National Trails Office.
Commenting on the potential of walking tourism Ciara Scully, Walking Development Officer for Fáilte Ireland said – "I believe walking in Ireland is very much on the up. It is seen by holidaymakers as a premier product, with one in every four mentioning it as an activity they have taken part in during their holiday. This figure rises to one in every three among Mainland Europeans who display high satisfaction ratings with the quality and price of this activity.”
Welcoming the launch of the walking routes, Paddy Murrihy, Doonbeg Community Development Ltd said – “Doonbeg Community Development Ltd. was very pleased to become a willing partner in this project with support from Shannon Development and Failte Ireland and under the guidance of the Clare Walks Officer, Cyril Killeen. We were particularly pleased with the recent glowing report from Failte Ireland’s Inspector, particularly his recommendation that due to the high standard of these walks they had the potential to be designated as cycle tracks also.”
For Information and descriptions of the Loops and a downloadable maps Click the links below:
For further information please contact:
Shannon Development - Nandi O’Sullivan
086 2371510/061 710259
Note for Editor
Information on the new Doonbeg Loop Walks:
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903