National Trials Day launched
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan T.D recently launched the fifth All Ireland National Trails Day which will take place on Sunday, October 7.
National Trails Day is aimed at increasing awareness of the recreational facilities available to everyone and encourages people to experience a trail in their locality. All events are organised and run by volunteer local guides and this year the National Trails Day Partners are asking anyone who has never taken to a trail before to attend on the day.
National Trails Day is an All Ireland event organised by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council, Coillte and Fáilte Ireland along with Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland. This year over 150 events are taking place across the country. The trails are themed according to interest, ability and region with something to appeal to everyone including an Electric Bike trail in Leitrim, a paddle down the Liffey and an Autumn Nature Children’s walk in Tipperary.
Events planned for Laois are Cullenagh Forest Walk, In search for autumn gold, Duathlon Canoe/Cycle, Walk the Leafy Loop, Cullahill Mountain Walk, Hike the Emo Slí, Autumn Forage Guided Walk in Emo. For full details of all the Laois visit www.nationaltrailsday.ie/events/laois/ for further details. Laois County Council and Laois Sports Partnership are organising the Hike the Emo Sli and Autumn Forage Guided Walk. Contact (057) 8674363 or (057) 8671248 for further details At the launch the Minister Deenihan issued a call to all those who have previously never considered taking a trail before to take come out on the day.
“Ireland has an incredible network of trails weaving through our mountains, rivers, hills and forests exposing us to beautiful scenery and wildlife. As Minister for Heritage, of particular interest to me is the focus on heritage and biodiversity trails as part of National Trails Day. People can take part in trail walks that focus on, for example, the 1798 rebellion in Wicklow, the red squirrel in Tyrone, and the exceptional diversity of the raised bog habitat in Clara, County Offaly. National Trails Day is an excellent way to engage with our beautiful landscape, and its biodiversity and heritage, and I would strongly encourage people to take to a trail on foot or bike on October 7.”
A full listing of events is on www.nationaltrailsday.ie. Event organisers can still post events for the day by logging on to the website and completing the form.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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