WICKLOW WALKING FESTIVAL A 'GREAT SUCCESS'

Pictured is Fred Verdier, Wicklow Tourism (back centre), with the group participating in the Nordic walk, during the Wicklow Walking Festival last weekend.

Issued, 30th October 2009

Wicklow County Tourism would like to congratulate Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival on their tremendous success. The Festival, which was organised by Teresa and Christopher Stacey, was held over the October Bank Holiday weekend.

There was a great turnout to the event, with over 320 people participating over the four days. Activities included a huge variety of walks, reflexology and aromatherapy workshops, dance sessions and a ceilí in the Brockagh Resource Centre, to name but a few. The event was the first of its kind to be held in the county since 2005.

Visitors came from near and far to take part in the activities, including visitors from all over Ireland, Holland, Austria, France, Germany the US and Canada.

Commenting on the success of the Festival, Christopher Stacey said, “As far as we are concerned the festival was a total success, considering that it had lay dormant for 5 years and the bad weather conditions on the weekend. We got very positive feedback on the organisation, the guides and the facilities at the Brockagh Resource Centre. We have already started planning the Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival for October 2010 and we hope to slot in a lot of new ideas and events.”

The Festival was supported by Fáilte Ireland and Wicklow County Tourism, which provided extensive PR.

Tourism Development Officer with Wicklow County Tourism Fred Verdier said, “We are delighted to see the success of the Walking Festival. Events such as these are key to showcase Wicklow as a great outdoors destination.”