Displaying items by tag: Coastal Walks

27th February 2023

Coastal Walks Could Be Part of 2.4 Million Euro Trail Development Scheme

Coastal walks could become national trails under a €2.4 million scheme to develop 70 new walking trails across the country.

Coastal farmers and landowners, trail management committees, community groups and local authorities will be eligible to apply for grants under the scheme, which aims to increase outdoor trails from 80 to 150 over the next two years.

The new scheme has been rolled out by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, who has called for expressions of interest, with a closing date of June 23rd.

The Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 to facilitate the development and maintenance of key walking trails by private landholders.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys

The scheme is administered by 20 Local Development Companies (LDCs) on behalf of the department.

Ms Humphrey’s department funds 21 Rural Recreation Officers (RROs) in these LDCs, with a contribution from Fáilte Ireland.

The tourism body assists with the delivery of the scheme and supports other rural recreation initiatives at a local level.

More information on the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 is here.

Published in Coastal Notes

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Coastal Walks

National Heritage Week (18-26 August) Also Takes to the Seas

Starting tomorrow, National Heritage Week (18-26 August) where among events will be those of a 'nautical' theme and activities taking place throughout the country

#HeritageWeek - Its that time of year again as National Heritage Week (18-26 August) begins tomorrow. Numerous events on land will be held across the country in addition to those of a nautical theme and directly taking place at sea.

Most of the week's events involving local communitiy organisations are free while others may require booking involving a fee. The programme highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage.

National Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days. This is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union in which over forty countries participate each year.

Afloat has picked a handful of events associated with the sea, for further information click the accompanying links. As for all other events covering a broad range of interests click What's On in addition to twitter and facebook.

Coastal & Island Heritage Cruise (18 - 26 August: 10:30am - 12:30pm) BOOKING REQUIRED Saoire Mara Charters, Kincasslagh Pier, Co. Donegal. For details click HERE

Dalkey Town and Coastal Walk (22 August: 7pm - 8pm) Anna Scudds, Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society, Dalkey Church, Car Park Co. Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Click HERE

Launch of a Restored Foyle Ferry (25 August: 1pm - 5pm) Moville Men's Shed, Moville Pier, Co. Donegal. For details click HERE

Experience Wild Atlantic Waves (26 August: 5pm - 9pm) Achill Yawl Heritage Day, Achill Sound, Co. Mayo. For details click HERE

In addition Afloat highlights an Irish Naval Service 'Open Ship' event held in Cork City Quays as part of Cork Heritage Week. This one-day naval event takes place tomorrow, Saturday, 18 August, when LÉ Orla will be open to the public for guided tours along the South Jetties.

Crew members of the Coastal Patrol Vessel (CPV) will present the tours between 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:00. Should there be updates, please consult the INS facebook HERE.

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Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.