Success of St Declan's Way praised

Praises were sung for St Declan’s Way last week, as a vote of congratulations was passed at the Dungarvan Lismore District meeting as the next phase of the development was launched.

Heralded as ‘the Irish Camino’, the St Declan’s Way Pilgrim Path is a 115km ancient pathway linking Ardmore in Waterford to Cashel in Tipperary, passing through Ardfinnan, Cahir, Melleray, Lismore, Cappoquin and Dromana.

'A REAL GEM'

Having attended an event over the weekend at which the Strategic Plan 2024-2028 for St Declan’s Way was launched, Cllr Declan Doocey commended the work and effort that has gone into the development of the walkway.

“This is such a success story, I can't believe it that they have so much done, but a lot of it is meitheal and local volunteers and the cooperation they’re getting because of what they are doing. The roadway was there and undisturbed with hundreds upon hundreds of years and if you could all visit it at some stage, it’s a real gem,” Cllr Doocey said.

Speaking on the amenity, which has been celebrated and highly popular since its reinstatement, Cllr Doocey called upon the council to help those involved as they move to the next phase.

“It’s a beautiful amenity and it’s our Camino, that’s the plan, it’s going to be the Irish answer to the Camino,” Cllr Doocey added.

Cllr Tom Cronin seconded the vote of congratulations, acknowledging all the work that has been done on the walkway over the years.

“There’s a lot of people use this walkway and the upgrading and the money that has been spent on it has been well spent,” he said.

COMMUNITY 'BUY-IN'

Speaking at the recent meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District, Cllr Damien Geoghegan added his support.

Comparing the development of St Declan’s Way to that of the proposed Mallow to Dungarvan Greenway, Cllr Geoghegan said that the way in which St Declan’s Way has been developed is a ‘success story’ and ‘an amazing tourism product’.

“One thing that stands out for me is the buy-in of the community, from all aspects of the community,” he said.