Press release
Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces largest ever expansion of Ireland’s National Walks Scheme
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today (28 February 2024) announced the largest ever expansion of Ireland’s National Walks Scheme with 62 new trails announced across 17 counties.
Today’s announcement includes 5 trails on two offshore islands – Inis Meáin and Oileán Chléire. Also for the first time, National Walks Scheme trails will now be located in Counties Monaghan and Wexford.
This is part of a phased expansion that will see the number of trails on the Walks Scheme increase from 80 to 150 over the next two years. The initiative is designed to boost outdoor recreation and rural tourism and is a key element of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors , the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
Under the Walks Scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landholders to maintain the walking trails that go through their holdings. The Scheme is operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development in conjunction with Local Development Companies.
Among the new Walks Scheme trails being announced today are:
Over €15 million has been paid to farmers and landholders participating on the Scheme since 2017, with an additional €1.4 million spent on materials for the maintenance of trails. This expansion will see an additional annual investment of over €500,000 to rural areas through the scheme.
Announcing the expansion at the Carrigmeal Woods Loop Trails in Co Laois, Minister Humphreys said:
“I want to make Ireland an international destination of choice for walkers and hikers. We have a unique offering in terms of our natural landscape filled with mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and sea.
“Often these amenities can only be truly appreciated by crossing through fields and land owned by local farmers. The National Walks Scheme is about working in partnership with landowners so we can open up access to local communities and tourists to enjoy these wonderful hidden gems we have all across Ireland.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the work of all the farmers and landowners involved in the Walks Scheme who provide access to their holdings and who help to maintain the trails to a high standard for the benefit of a huge number of locals and visitors. Without the goodwill of farmers we would not have access to many of our favourite tracks and trails. It is incumbent on all of us to use these amenities responsibly, respect local landowners and of course – Leave No Trace.
“Getting out into the fresh air for a walk is good for the body and good for the mind. These trails allow people of all ages and ability the opportunity to enjoy open countryside, riverside walks and mountains hikes. There is something for everyone, just put on your walking shoes and get out there and have a go.”
The department is now inviting expressions of interest from LDCs for new trails and substantial extensions to existing trails. Potential applicants (e.g. trail management committees, community groups, local authorities, and other similar entities) should be advised that expressions of interest must be made through LDCs in respect of trails that are eligible for inclusion in the scheme. The closing date for EOIs is 11 October 2024.
The Minister concluded:
“Due to the phenomenal response to this expansion, I am formally launching a further call for expressions of interest to join the Walks Scheme. I would encourage trail management committees, community groups and other similar bodies to contact their nearest Local Development Company to make an expression of interest for trails they would like to include in the scheme.”
The expansion of the Walks Scheme was also warmly welcomed by Dr. Liam Twomey, the Chairperson of Comhairle na Tuaithe which is representative of the key stakeholders involved in outdoor recreation in the countryside.
Dr. Twomey said:
“I very much welcome the addition of these trails to the Walks Scheme. Comhairle Na Tuaithe has been involved in the sustainable development of the sector since 2004. Following the launch of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, and the strategic development coming from that, the continuing growth of the Walks Scheme is so beneficial, both from an economic and wellbeing point of view."
The list of trails approved in this expansion can be found in Appendix 1 below.
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 to facilitate the development and maintenance of key walking trails by private landholders. The scheme is administered by 20 Local Development Companies (LDCs) who deliver the scheme in their area on behalf of the department.
The department funds 21 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in these LDCs, with a contribution from Fáilte Ireland, to assist with the delivery of the Scheme and support other rural recreation initiatives at a local level.
In 2019 there were 40 trails on the National Walks Scheme. This has been expanded to 80 in recent years and today’s announcement will bring the total number of nationally recognised trails to 140.
Further details of the Walks Scheme can be found at: gov.ie - The Walks Scheme and Rural Recreation Officers (www.gov.ie).
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors was launched in November 2022. In light of the significant contribution of the Walks Scheme in delivering high quality trails it committed to further expanding the Walks Scheme to 150 trails by end of 2024.
The department is now inviting expressions of interest from LDCs for new trails and substantial extensions to existing trails. Potential applicants (for example: trail management committees, community groups, local authorities, and other similar entities) should be advised that expressions of interest must be made through LDCs in respect of trails that are eligible for inclusion in the scheme. The closing date for EOIs is 11 October 2024.
It is essential that any expression of interest is developed based on direct engagement with the relevant Trail Management Organisation and landholders.
| County | Name of trail | Name of responsible Local Development Company |
| Cavan | Moyar Loop Trail | Cavan County Local Development |
| Clare | Lissycasey Cascades loop | Clare Local Development Company |
| Cork | Ladysbridge Loop Trail | IRD Duhallow |
| Cork | Fastnet Knockaphuca Loop | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Cork | Fastnet Goleen Harbour Loop | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Cork | Fastnet Tormore Loop | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Cork | Fastnet Gortyowen | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Cork | Fastnet Gortdubh Loop Walk | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Cork | Fastnet Lissigriffin Loop Walk | West Cork Development Partnership |
| Donegal | Leghowney Loop Walk | Donegal Local Development Clg |
| Islands | Cnoicín Loop, Oileán Chléire, Co. Chorcaigh | Comhar na nOileán CTR |
| Islands | Gleann Loop, Oileán Chléire, Co. Chorcaigh | Comhar na nOileán CTR |
| Islands | Lúb Dún Chonchúir, Inis Meáin, Co. na Gaillimhe | Comhar na nOileán CTR |
| Islands | Lúb Cill Cheannannach, Inis Meáin, Co. na Gaillimhe | Comhar na nOileán CTR |
| Islands | Lúb Dún Fearbhaí, Inis Meáin, Co. na Gaillimhe | Comhar na nOileán CTR |
| Kerry | Siuloid na Cille | North & East Kerry Development Company |
| Kerry | Kilgarven Village Loop Walk | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kerry | Kilbanow Mountain Loop | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kerry | Castlequin/Paddy Casey Loop Walk | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kerry | Cullum’s Cup Kilbeg Loop - Valentia Island | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kerry | Cullum’s Cup Main Loop - Valentia Island | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kerry | Strickeen Mountain walk | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG |
| Kilkenny | Kilmacoliver Woodland Loop | Kilkenny Leader Partnership |
| Laois | Carrigmeal Woodland Loop - Milos | Laois Partnership Company |
| Laois | Carrigmeal Woodlands Loops - Tir na nÓg | Laois Partnership Company |
| Laois | Carrigmeal Woodlands Loops - Sheep's Walk Trail | Laois Partnership Company |
| Leitrim | Keeldra Lake Walkway | Leitrim Development Company |
| Leitrim | Bóthar na Naomh | Leitrim Development Company |
| Leitrim | Crummy Loop | Leitrim Development Company |
| Leitrim | Mullaghgarve Mass Rock | Leitrim Development Company |
| Limerick | Ballinvreena Loop Walk | Ballyhoura Development CLG |
| Limerick | Blackrock Loop | Ballyhoura Development CLG |
| Limerick | Moore Abbey Loop | Ballyhoura Development CLG |
| Mayo | The Nature Walk Kilmaine | South West Mayo Development Company CLG |
| Mayo | Newtown Forest Trail | South West Mayo Development Company CLG |
| Monaghan | The Monaghan Way | Cavan County Local Development |
| Roscommon | Ballintubber Rambling Trail | Roscommon LEADER Partnership |
| Sligo | Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird (Devil's Chimney) | Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG |
| Tipperary | Cosán Felim Inch Loop | South Tipperary Development CLG |
| Tipperary | Killoscully Mass Path Looped walk | South Tipperary Development CLG |
| Tipperary | Knockmealdown Trail | South Tipperary Development CLG |
| Tipperary | The Source of the Nore Walking Trail | South Tipperary Development CLG |
| Tipperary | Loop of Lahile and Laughaun | South Tipperary Development CLG |
| Waterford | Rathgormack Boolas Loop Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Waterford Estuary Coastal Path: Dunmore East to Ballymacaw Cove Linear | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths: Byrnes Bridge | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths: The Cross | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths: The Grotto | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths: The Source | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Mount Melleray Pilgrim Paths: The Well | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | The Nire Valley: Coumduala Loop Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | The Nire Valley: Coumlara Loop Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | The Nire Valley: Gap Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | The Nire Valley: Sgilloges Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Waterford | Ardmore Cliff Walk | Waterford Leader Partnership |
| Wexford | Ballybrittas Dolmen Trail | Wexford Local Development |
| Wexford | Mt. Nebo Trail | Wexford Local Development |
| Wexford | Kilanerin Curragh Wood Loop | Wexford Local Development |
| Wexford | River Walk | Wexford Local Development |
| Wexford | Cullentra Trail | Wexford Local Development |
| Wicklow | Lacken Mass Path | County Wicklow Partnership |
| Wicklow | Jubilee Loop | County Wicklow Partnership |