Other walking news                                               

Hidden Treasures of the North Down Coastal Path – Guided Walk

Date: Saturday, February 06, 2010      Location: Groomsport          Details: Sat 6th Feb 12 noon.

Join NIEA Archaeologist, Dr John O'Keefe for a walk exploring the archaeological treasures of the North Down Coastal Path from Groomsport to Ballyholme. Meet at the old fishermen's thatched cottages in Groomsport and walk along the rural coastal path to Bangor. Along the way, Dr O'Keefe will talk about the history of the area and wider North Down Coastal Routeand point out archaeological points of interest.Wear stout waterproof footwear and rain gear
Pre-registration is required

Contact Information

Contact: Johanna Hopes NIEA 02890 569801
 johanna.hopes@doeni.gov.uk

Meeting point is in front of the fishermens cottages – Cockle Row, Groomsport. Groomsport is located about 3 miles from Bangor. On arrival into the village, follow signs for parking at the harbour. Cockle Row Cottages are signposted, as is the Ulster Way route.
 

Foundations of the Ulster Way – Illustrated Talk introducing the landscapes of the Ulster Way in West Fermanagh

Date: Tuesday, March 02, 2010          Location: Enniskillen Library              Details: Tuesday 02 March – 7pm

The Ulster Way in West Fermanagh traverses a diversity of landscapes, from rugged mountain uplands to gently lapping lough shores and everything in between. A great deal of the Ulster Way in West Fermanagh is contained within the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark that not only includes wonderful landscapes and fabulous geology but also fascinating plants and wildlife, intriguing archaeology and a host of historical sites.

Dr Kirstin Lemon, Geopark Geologist’s illustrated talk will introduce you to some of the finest landscapes of the West Fermanagh Ulster Way, as well as helping you to discover the natural and cultural history that this area is so richly steeped in.

 Pre-registration Required

Contact Information

Contact: Johanna Hopes NIEA 02890 569801
 johanna.hopes@doeni.gov.uk

Visit CAAN'S redesigned Ecotrails web site, now more visually attractive and user friendly. 
 EcotrailsNI.com

Next CAAN volunteer Rangers event
Blessingbourne Estate Itinerary
Saturday 20th March, 2010

Blessingbourne Courtyard
Blessingbourne Estate
Fivemiletown
BT75 0QS
www.blessingbourne.com
Tel.  028 895 21188

10 am - Arrive
10 am – 10.30 am – tea, coffee, scones,
10.30 am -12.30 pm – Tour of Carriage Museum, walk and talk
12.30 pm – 1.30 pm – Lunch, provided by Blessingbourne Estate
1.30 pm – 3 pm - Guided walk of Blessingbourne Nature Reserve by Peter Archdale, Ulster Wildlife Trust.
3pm – Depart

Please bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. All refreshments will be provided.

Carlingford Adventure Centre
(15 minutes from Newry) offer Mountain Skills Training 1 & 2. Visit website for dates and details   www.carlingfordadventure.com

The Blackwater Regional partnership
web-site includes information on most of the parks and walking areas in this border area .   
There is a full programme of interesting and varied walks in the area.   www.visitblackwaterregion.com

Have a look at  
Hill walking in Ireland   This site has a lot of interesting and useful information. 

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill  received Royal Assent on Thursday 12 November-an historic event.
The Bill will ensure the creation of better coastal access, with a new right to walk along the full 4,345km (2,700 miles) of England’s coastline providing a permanent right of access to a coastal margin around the coast (including beaches and cliffs).
The BMC has campaigned for the new access rights to extend from the mean low water mark to a point inland, and include areas such as beaches, foreshore and cliffs.
The Bill has received cross –party support and will strike a fair balance between the needs of landowners    and the visitor to the coast. The Minister for the Environment Huw Irranca-Davies specifically stated that:
 “The interests of walkers and climbers, and of the organisations that represent the interests of those who walk or climb - for example, the Ramblers Association and the British Mountaineering Council - will be fully taken into account before any proposals for the route are finalised.”
CAAN  walking website.
 
Click on this  link to view  www.walkni.com .      
If you are a walker we guarantee you will enjoy  browsing it . 

CAAN have introduced another web-site to replace "land,sea,water" , this covers all kinds of outdoor activity and although not specifically for walking is a most useful and interesting site . 
click logo to visit 		 Events in your area can be promoted on
OutdoorNI.com.       ‘Suggest an event’ online by logging on to the events section on OutdoorNI.com    and use ‘click here to suggest an event’.
Submit the events details and image/s. Once approved it will go live on the website. Please remember all events must be related to an outdoor activity featured on OutdoorNI.com.  
which currently receives approximately 2000  visitors each month with the events page receiving approximately 500 page views . 
 

 
Walking Events 2010  (Thanks to David Sloan-Wee Binnians, for info)
 

Dates

Event

Location and Description

Contact / Websites

Fri 06 Mar - Sun 08 Mar

Táin Walking Festival

 Take a weekend to explore the spectacular landscape of the virtually undiscovered Cooley Mountains.  The weekend provide different walks at all levels. Guide available throughout the weekend. Booking advisable

Email: alison.condra@louthcoco.ie

 

 
 
17th March 2010 St Patricks Day Walk Time: Registration at 10.00am for 10.30am start
Venue: TBA
Price: FREE		 Contact Details: Downpatrick Tourist information Office: 028 4461 2233

 
 
Sat 3rd – Sat 4th April North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival Hillwalking festival with a range of guided walks incuding both country rambles and challenging hill walks in the spectacular uplands of North Leitrim

Tel: Nuala +353 87 9172143

Email: info@enjoyleitrim.com

Website: http://www.leitrimtourism.com/NewsEvents/Events/North-Leitrim-Glens-Hill-Walking-Festival.aspx

 

Sat 17th – Sun 18th April

 

 

South Sligo Spring Walking Festival – 10th Anniversary

 

 

Short, Medium & Long Walks each day.

Registration: Joe Dan’s Pub, Mullaney’s Cross R294 approx 6 miles from Tubbercurry, on the Ballina Road.

Tel: Maeve +353 87 9671339, Dermot +353 87 13692703 or Michael +353 87 2246416 

Email: mleheny@eircom.net

 
 

Sat 17th – Sat 24th April

NI Hospice walking challenge

Big Walk Week 

Note: For Sunday 18th April, they are requesting volunteer leaders who will plan routes, do a recci, provide technical support and lead on the day.

Tel: Ireland: 01 4433314  UK:  020

 

 

Email: info@intoindia.com

 

Fri 30th April – Mon 3rd May

 

Achill Walking Festival - Féile Siúlóidí Acla

 

Explore our unique landscape with knowledgeable Guides.

 

Tel: +353 98 47353

Email: info@achilltourism.com

Website: www.achilltourism.com

 

Fri 30th April – Mon 3rd May

 

Ballyhoura International Walking Festival

 

The festival offers over 30 guided walks, led by people from local communities and the Ballyhorua Bears Walking Club. There are walks for all levels of ability from green pastures, woodlands and rolling hills to peaks of the Galty Mountains. The area is a walkers paradise with a variety of landscapes. There is something for eveyone at this years festival, whether you enjoy a family day out or a serious hike.

  

Tel: +353 63 91300

Email: info@ballyhoura.org

Website: www.ballyhouracountry.com
 

Sat 1st – Mon 3rd May

 

Donegal Bluestack Walking Festival

 

Two day walking Festival

 

Tel: +353 87 7844803

Email: bluestackramblers@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.bluestackramblers.com
 

Sat 22nd May

 

Causeway Challenge

 

This 12-mile walk sets off from the Giant's Causeway and finishes at Larrybane car park.

 

Contact Roisin Hughes, Fundraising Co-ordinator

Tel: +44 28 9026 6707

Email: rhughes@nichsa.com

Website: www.nichsa.com
 

Sat 22nd May

 

Clare Burren Marathon Challenge

 

Venue: Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

This is a road, green road and trail challenge across the Beautiful Scenic Burren. Enjoy some of Europe's most unique landscapes and see the Riches of the Burren in Bloom.

Tel: +353

Email:

Website:

 
 
From Friday 25th June - Sunday 27th June 2010 Mourne International Walking Festival 2010
Time: Varies depending on walk chosen
Venue: The festival takes place in the Mourne Golf Club, Newcastle
Price: Varies depending on number of days		 Contact details: info@mournewalking.co.uk
Shona McIlhone:028 4461 0814.

 


 
 

August 8th to 28th,

Tri-Adventure Expedition

More Details Later

Tel: Ireland: 01 4433314  UK:  020

 

Email: info@intoindia.com


 		 Waymarked Way map guide booklets are available from Tourist Information Centres or online from Waymarked Ways website-click on logo below. 
Each map and guide booklet is £ 0.50 , a complete set is £4.99.