There has been a warm welcome in Inishowen for a new Walks Scheme which has just been introduced.
Tony McLaughlin, Inishowen Tourism's Development Manager, says the new funding programme, which was launched last month by Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, marks a real breakthrough in terms of developing wal
ks for both tourists and local people to enjoy.
"This will hopefully be one of the greatest moves forward regarding rural tourism for many years. It was always been an accepted fact that under our current compo climate, landowners rights had to be taken into consideration. Over the past year or so, we in Inishowen Tourism have begun to have queries on walks on a daily basis," he commented.
Tony also sees plenty potential for spin-off businesses. "This could also help increase local awareness among food producers in a market where they could sell their produce to walkers. Just as on the Continent, assuming we can bring the various environmental health bodies on board, but that's another day's work."
The scheme is aimed at farmers/private landowners and landholders/users and involves the development, enhancement and maintenance of National WayMarked Ways and priority walks.
It is a national scheme and open to all landholders on National Waymarked Ways, Looped Walking Routes and Heritage Routes along with other trails that have been approved by the National Trails Office. The scheme will only operate where there is agreement on the entire walk and will not be available for part of a walk.
The scheme is administered by Local Development Integrated Companies (formerly LEADER Companies) with the assistance of the National Trails Office at the Irish Sports Council and Fáilte Ireland and in association with local walking management committees and Local Authorities on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.
