Let's get walkers to Waterford

The Munster Express have dedicated two whole pages to the recent
launch of the Rathgormack Marked walks.

Walking Brochure Launch

Hiking Centre Launch of Brochure and Walks` Cards

On Saturday, October 6th, Irish Sports Council CEO and former olympian

John Treacy officially launched the Hiking Centre`s walking brochure

and walks` cards at Rathgormack Community and Hiking Centre. A

sprinkling of politicians, some local people and some visitors turned up

on a glorious day to mark the occasion.

The brochure and cards are the culmination of over four years work

and are available in a number of local outlets. The project began in

2007 with the way marking of Bóithrín an Mhargaidh, Ross Bridge and

Clondonnell road walks along with An Rath Beag, Lough Mohra and

Glenpatrick Bridge forest walks. The forest walks were the first Fáilte

Ireland approved looped walks in county Waterford. In 2008 and 2009

some hill walks were marked from Curraheen – The Gap and Coumduala

linear walks along with the Boolas looped walk. The final part of the

project involved the production of the walking brochure and route cards.

The Hiking Centre committee is very grateful to the landowners who

supported the project and would also like to thank the Department of

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Fáilte Ireland and Waterford

County Council for their funding support.

John Treacy said the Sports Council was very impressed with the

brochure and congratulated all involved. Cllr Mary Greene echoed

John`s hope that the brochure would attract more visitors to the area.

Michael O`Donoghue presented Mr. Treacy with a mirror crafted

by local woodturner Eddie Fogarty. Following the launch John led a

group of walkers on an hour long trek along the Rath Beag Loop and

most returned to the Hiking Centre afterwards to partake in the tasty

refreshments available.