Sam Demas, hut2hut info, September 16, 2017
Download 0.75 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
Sam Demas, hut2hut.info, September 16, 2017 Published under Creative Commons License -- Use with Attribution Long Distance Walking (LDW) in Ireland: A Country Study An Overview Building on Case Studies of the Wicklow Way, the Burren Way, and the Kerry Way by Sam Demas www.hut2hut.info. Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 3 Introduction 4 Acknowledgements 4 Methodology 5 Scope, purpose, audience and caveats 5 Background to Long Distance Walking 6 Hillwalking in the Republic of Ireland: an historical sketch 7 Climate and topography 18 Land-owners property rights and access to trails 18 Liability/insurance situation 19
Overseas tourism data from 2015 from Failte Ireland: 22 Contemporary walking culture in Ireland 26 Support of long distance trails in Ireland: key players 27 National statutory and international support for long distance walking (LDW) 27 National Trails Office (NTO) 28 Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government 29 Comhairle na Tuaithe (CNT) 32 Failte Ireland 33 Heritage Council 34 Coillte Ireland 34 International agencies/organizations 35 Non-governmental organizations 36 Mountain Rescue Ireland 38 Mountain Meitheal/Path Savers 39 Mountain Views: 40 Irish Uplands Forum 40 Keep Ireland Open 41 Leave No Trace Ireland 42
Challenges/weaknesses: 46 Opportunities/strengths: 47
Case Study of Burren Way 48 Trip Report on Burren Way 48 Profile of Harry Jeuken and his Splendid Lough Avalla Trail 49 Kerry Way 49 Case Study of Kerry Way 49 Profile of Rural Officer Patricia Deane 49
Case Study of Wicklow Way 49 Trip Report of Wicklow Way 49 Profile of Sean Byrne: Wicklow Way Farmer, Host, and Advocate 49 APPENDIX 1 49 Executive SummaryThis is an informal overview written from the perspective of an American amateur. It is an attempt to pull together widely scattered information to present a coherent overview of how one nation – Ireland -- supports long distance walking. The intended audience for this work is primarily recreation planners and trail managers in the USA who are interested in learning about how long-distance walking is supported in other nations. My findings are encapsulated in the following components: this “Country Overview”, “case studies” and “trip reports” on: Burren Way, Kerry Way and Wicklow Way “profiles” of a few of the interesting people I met along the way who have strong connections to the trail and/or walking culture of the region. The case studies, trip reports, and profiles are online and are linked at the end of this Country Overview document. Together these comprise something approaching 100 pages of text. The methodology was to walk the walks, talk with the people who operate the trails and with locals, talk with government officials and others involved with long distance walking, and visit libraries and archives to read relevant sources. The eleven-page historical sketch outlines how Ireland quickly developed a robust hillwalking culture over the last two to three generations, and set itself up as an international destination for walkers. Since the history of hillwalking in Ireland has not yet been written (an oversight that really should be remedied), this bare-bones outline is the most complete I have seen. This is followed by discussion of how the nation has addressed two major challenges it faces: 1. there is no legal right of access to the Irish countryside and traditional rights of way are not recognized, and 2. fears on the part of private property owners of exposure to claims in cases of accident or injury. Since these challenges are also very concerning in USA, the Irish solutions bear study. Tourism is a major component of the Irish economy and walking is one of the most frequently cited reasons for visiting Ireland. Working with Failte Ireland data, a rather crude summary of the economic impact of hillwalking is attempted. 23% of domestic tourists participate in walking, and among overseas tourists hiking/walking was by far the most popular active pursuit., exceeding the combined participation in cycling, golfing, angling, and equestrianism. It appears Failte Ireland’s priorities after the recession have drifted away from walking, growth remains robust. The section on Economics is not complete pending information from National Trails Office. The roles played in supporting long distance walking by 10 governmental organizations and 7 NGO’s are outlined. The conclusion includes a summary of the challenges and opportunities Ireland faces in the hillwalking arena, and lessons the USA might learn from the Irish experience in developing a stronger walking culture. Among the takeaways that bear study for American planners are: the importance of focused NGO’s, like Mountaineering Ireland, a network of walking clubs, and walking festivals; the potential for international tourism with walks development offering greater amenities, including accommodations; the model of Rural Recreation Officers, and the potential of models of independent management councils with missions like those of the Wicklow Uplands Forum, the McGillicuddy Reeks Forum, and the Irish Uplands Forum. Directory: wp-content -> uploads -> 2017 2017 -> Leadership ohio 2017 -> Ascension Lutheran Church Counter’s Schedule January to December 2017 2017 -> Board of directors juanita Gibbons-Delaney, mha, rn president 390 Stone Castle Pass Atlanta, ga 30331 2017 -> Military History Anniversaries 16 thru 31 January Events in History over the next 15 day period that had U. S. military involvement or impacted in some way on U. S military operations or American interests 2017 -> The Or Shalom Cemetery Community Teaching on related issues of Integral 2017 -> Ford onthult samenwerking met Amazon Alexa en introduceert nieuwe navigatiemogelijkheden van Ford sync® 3 met Applink 2017 -> Start Learn and Increase gk. Question (1) Name the term used for talking on internet with the help of text messege? 2017 -> Press release from 24. 03. 2017 From a Charleston Car to a Mafia Sedan 2017 -> Tage Participants 2017 -> Citi Chicago Debate Championship Varsity and jv previews Download 0.75 Mb. Share with your friends:
|