Archive | Tourism
Cork Walking Month – September 2010
This is the Inaugural Cork Walking Month which has been developed by the Cork Sports Partnership, the Cork Walking Forum and the HSE South. The theme for the month is ” A Walk for All” and will see 40 organised walks for people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels throughout Cork in an effort to promote physical activity through walking. The variety and levels of the walks for the month vary, so there is a walk for everyone. walks have been co-ordinated by the Hillwalking clubs of Cork, Irish Heart Foundation walking leaders and the HSE with the support of Cork Sports Partnership. In addition to the variety of walks on offer throughout the month a series of workshops/events that the public can avail of have also put together . These include
- An Introduction to Trail Walking
- Cork Climbing Wall Classes for all
- Visually impaired guided walk
- Family Orientating Event with Kilbrittain Scouts
For more information please go to www.corksports.ie and follow Cork Walking Month 2010
Tracks and Trails, RTE 1
A new Series of TV Programmes titled ‘’Tracks & Trails’’ featuring some the country’s best and most scenic walking and cycling tracks/trails will be transmitted on RTE 1 over the next 5 weeks.
The Series which was part funded by Department of Comunity Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs has been produced over the past few months and features a number of well known personalities out walking and cycling in spectacular locations around the country.
The first series, which aired on Friday 16th of July saw celebrity chefs Derry Clarke and Kevin Thornton walk the beautiful Beara Way/ Peninsula in West Cork venturing out from Allihies, a tiny village which was the home to the Coppermines in the early1900s.
A Podcast of the programme will be available on the RTE Website for six weeks following transmission and on the Saturday following the transmission of each programme, a follow-up article will feature in the Irish Times Travel Magazine ‘GO’.
The running order for the series is as follows:
- Episode 1 – Friday 16/07/10 @7.30pm RTE 1 Featured Trails : Beara Way / Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork
- Episode 2 – Friday 23/07/10 @7.30pm RTE 1 Featured Trails : Great Western Greenway ( Newport to Mulranney) + Burrashoole Loop Walks / Co. Mayo
- Episode 3 – Friday 30/07/10 @7.30pm RTE 1 Featured Trail : Bluestack Way / Co. Donegal
- Episode 4 – Friday 06/08/10 @7.30pm RTE 1 Featured Trails : Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails / Co. Limerick & Cork
- Episode 5 – Friday 13/08/10 @7.30pm RTE 1 Featured Trail : Dublin Mountain Way / Co. Dublin
The West Cork Craft and Design Fair
As part of the first annual “Cork Craft Month” which celebrates the amazing abundance and variety of high quality craft produced in Cork County, Bantry House will host ‘The West Cork Craft and Design Fair’ in their exhibition space of the East Stables. This will take place on Saturday August 7th, 10am – 7pm and Sunday August 8th, 11am – 6pm.
West Cork has a wealth of talent in its crafts people, many of whom are tucked away off the beaten track. This is an excellent opportunity to meet these people and see a selection of their work all in one venue. Crafts on sale will include ceramics, iron work, wood turning, jewellery, natural skin care, to name but a few.
There is no admission charge to the Fair but it must be remembered that there is one for the House and Gardens. Parking is at the main entrance.
The Cork Craft Month celebration comprises of a range of exhibitions, fairs and open studios, together with a plethora of “hands on” events and workshops. Cork Art and Design have organised Cork Craft Month and represent over 200 craft makers and teachers in Cork. The full programme will be posted to http://www.discoverireland.ie, http://www.corkartdesign.com and under Facebook join the group ‘Cork Craft Month – August’. This new initiative has also been co-sponsored by three Cork County Enterprise Boards, West Cork Development Partnership, Cork County Council and the Crafts Council of Ireland.
National Trails Day 2010
Welcoming People into the Irish Outdoors
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is a celebration of Ireland’s wonderful variety of trails and a chance for everyone to enjoy some of our most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes.
This year National Trails Day will be held on Sunday, 3rd of October and it is hoped that the event will be even bigger and better than last year with more events being organised on trails around the country.
National Trails Day is a great way of increasing awareness about local trails.
Please stay tuned for news about organised events in the West Cork area.
St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Way – Drimoleague to Gougane Barra – August 2010
Following on the success of last year’s St Finbarr’s inaugural walk, the Drimoleague Walkways committee are again inviting people to join them to walk the 37 km from the Top of the Rock, Drimoleague to St Finbarr’s hermitage at Gougane Barra this August.
This year there is a choice of two weekends:
(A) Saturday 14th- Sunday 15th August: A re-run of last years memorable walk, described as “gruelling yet hilarious.” The people who walked it will do it all again. This walk is not for the faint-hearted; but it is for the light-hearted; and the humour, camaraderie and sense of achievement are worth it all.
To find out more and to book a place contact Mike O Sullivan at 087 7641420 or liz_dromusta@yahoo.co.uk
(B) Saturday 21st-Sunday 22nd August. At a slightly slower place this walk will be a contemplative one, exploring the spirituality of St Finbarr, and so drawing strength for life’s journey. The spectacular scenery and the rootedness in tradition come together to make this a truly West Cork “camino” experience.
To find out more and to book a place contact David Ross at 086 1735134 or davidross316@gmail.com
- There is no charge for either walk but donations are welcome to cover costs incurred
- Both walks begin at 9am on Saturday morning, and conclude around 4pm on Sunday afternoon at Gougane Barra. The Sunday leg of the walk will commence at Carriganass Castle, Kealkil at 9am.
- Refreshments can be provided at a reasonable charge along the way. Evening meals are available in local restaurants.
- All walkers will need proper walking shoes, adequate rain gear, and a reasonable level of fitness.
- Walks are undertaken at the walker’s own risk.
For more information see Drimoleague Walkways website: www.drimoleaguewalkway.com
