Gorey Guardian

WEXFORD SET TO TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

- By DAVID LOOBY

SEVENTEEN walking trails across the county were recently launched by former RTE newsreader Anne Doyle.

PRIOR to the Wexford Walking Trail (WWT) event launch, the Lacken Wood walking trail was launched when a group of walkers tried out the surface.

The main event was attended by tourism providers, trade, and associated organisati­ons. Guests were welcomed to a reception at the Dunbrody Visitor Centre before celebratin­g the official launch of the walking trail, as well as the associated trails’ brochure, app and website. The event concluded with speeches from guest speaker Anne Doyle, with further speeches by representa­tives from Wexford County Council and Wexford Local Developmen­t.

This is the fourth in a series of tourism trails under the Wexford Trails brand, and sees the vision of this voluntary group being realised as they set out to promote a wonderful array of walking trails throughout the county for all to enjoy.

Currently there are seventeen trails in County Wexford suitable for all walking and hiking abilities and interests; be it walking for fitness and wellbeing, or simple appreciati­on of nature. The majority of trails are looped and vary from coast, mountain, riverside, woodland, historic and scenic.

Within the WWT network the majority of trails are supported and managed by voluntary community groups. Collaborat­ion with a range of agencies and in particular the support of Wexford County Council and Wexford Local Developmen­t has been crucial to the developmen­t of the walking trail network.

The concept of Wexford Trails came about as a collaborat­ion between Wexford County Council, Wexford Local Developmen­t and Failte Ireland to set up a series of tourism trails throughout Wexford. The trails also include the Wexford Craft Trail, Wexford Garden Trail and Wexford Heritage Trail.

Having completed a training programme, members of each trail formed a committee, de-

 ??  ?? Michael Wall, Brian Kehoe WLD; John Hegarty, chairperso­n Wexford County Council; Anne Doyle, who launched the trail; Willie Fitzharris, New Ross Municipal Council chairperso­n and Paul Dubsky, chairperso­n Wexford Walking Trail.
Michael Wall, Brian Kehoe WLD; John Hegarty, chairperso­n Wexford County Council; Anne Doyle, who launched the trail; Willie Fitzharris, New Ross Municipal Council chairperso­n and Paul Dubsky, chairperso­n Wexford Walking Trail.
 ??  ?? The launch of Lacken wood walking trail as part of the Wexford Walking Trail launch.
The launch of Lacken wood walking trail as part of the Wexford Walking Trail launch.

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