OVER 100 TAKE TO THE WOODS
TINTERN TRAILS FUNDRAISING WALK
MORE than 100 people took to the wooded trails of Tintern Abbey recently for a fundraising walk to help maintain the scenic walkways.
The Tintern Trails Development Committee organised the very successful and enjoyable walk on Sunday, February 25, taking in the trails around the greater Tintern site.
Group secretary Kate O’Brien said: ‘ The day was a beautiful, bright and sunny one and more than 100 people participated in the walk. The committee are very grateful to everyone for their support and their generous contributions which will be used for the ongoing development and maintenance of the trails.’
The Tintern Trails Development Committee was set up in 2013 and is part of Hook Rural Tourism. It was hoped that the trails would encourage a more active lifestyle for local people and add value to the tourism product in the area. Since 2013 the Trails committee have worked on the development of four different trails of varying lengths and grades, including one which is suitable for buggy and wheelchair users. Overall, the trails cover a distance of some 14 kilometres. All the trails are graded and the length of each is clearly indicated at the start to help walkers select the trail best suited to their ability.
‘ The trails in Tintern form part of the countywide Wexford Walking Trail all of which provide wonderful opportunities for the kind of recreation and relaxation that are so important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing.’
Ms O’Brien said the development and ongoing maintenance of the Tintern Trails is only possible thanks to the cooperation of Coillte, the OPW and local landowners, and a combination of grants, donations and fundraising activities. ‘Over the years, the work done by TUS/CE workers has been invaluable and the many hours of voluntary labour by local people has been very much appreciated. Since work on the trails started, Wexford Local Development, Wexford County Council, and groups like the Lions Club have been hugely supportive.
The Tintern trails offer visitors plenty of variety and year round points of interest. These include wonderful mixed woodland, a wide variety of plant and wild life, the famous Tintern Abbey, the Colclough Walled Garden and ample birdwatching opportunities along the edge of Bannow Bay. The highlight of our year will be coming up later in spring when the forest floor will be carpeted with spectacular drifts of bluebells and wild garlic.’
For updates about Tintern Trails see the group’s Facebook page and your local newspaper.