WICKLOW GETS ACTIVE ON NATIONAL TRAILS DAY - 28TH SEPTEMBER '08

Issued 23 September 2008

The Garden County is celebrating the first ever National Trails Day this coming weekend, Saturday 28th September, with events taking place in locations all around the county, including Wicklow County Tourism members Avondale House and Kippure Estate. Visitors are being encouraged to get out and hit the trail, and enjoy the huge range of trails and events open to the public.

Events in Wicklow include:

Visit Glenmalure Access Route – taking place in Glenmalure from 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1pm – 3pm. Hostel by Mountain Meitheal and the Wicklow Uplands Council, the event features a walk and talk, showing bridge construction, trail restoration and access route. For more information contact Angela Sweeney on 086 807 2192. Parking is limited so please register your interest to sweenyang@gmail.com as early as possible. Participants are asked to bring rain gear and appropriate footwear.

Trail Repair Workshop & Demonstration – taking place in Laragh from 10.30am – 3pm. Hosted by Moutain Meitheal and Coillte, the event shows work on the project to date with hands-on experience of clearing vegetation. For more information contact Shay Walsh on 087 2382581. Suitable for persons over 18, participants are asked to bring secateurs or loppers, appropriate footwear and raingear and a packed lunch.

Railway Walk Family Fun Day – taking place in Tinahely, Arklow at 2pm. This event includes walks, a kids’ treasure hunt and music for all the family. Meeting at Tinahely Railway Walk Car Park. For more information contact John Mullen on 087 290 5479. Children must be accompanied.

Introduction to Mountain Biking – taking place at Coillte Mountain Bike Trail, Ballinastoe, Roundwood starting at 11am and 12.30pm. This event will introduce people to off-road mountain biking on purpose-built trails with guides. You can bring your own bike (you must also bring a helmet). For more information contact Fergal Kilkenny on 087 792 7730.

The Kippure Ramble – taking place at Kippure Estate, Manor Kilbride at 2pm sharp. Enjoy a ramble around Kippure Estate. The 240 acres private estate adjoins Wicklow Mountains National Park and River Liffey. For more information contact Sinead Finn on 01 4582889. Confirm your attendance by ringing or emailing info@kippure.com before Friday, 26th September.

Orienteering on the Trails – taking place at Trooperstown Wood at 11am. This event is suitable for all with an interest in learning about orienteering – from those who have never tried the sport to those who may only have participated in one or two events. For more information contact David Healy on 087 997 1185.

Centenary Trail Walk – taking place at Avondale Forest Park. Organised by Coillte, this trail will give an introduction to forestry plots planted in Avondale from 1904 onwards. For more information contact Helena Doyle on 01 2011148.

For more information on National Trails Day log onto www.nationaltrailsday.ie