Final Inspection on Cape Clear Island Looped Walks

The final inspection was carried out by the National Trails Office on the Looped walks on Cape Clear Island recently. The trails were assessed against the management Standards for Recreational Trails and were found to comply with the standards and will be accredited on the National Trails Register. This will be available shortly at www.irishtrails.ie

The trails were described as “in good condition”, “featuring stunning Atlantic views” with “excellent way marking” and “trail furniture generally superb, with stone step through stiles a feature”. They were “impressively free from litter” with the main on-going maintenance work describes as “vegetation clearance throughout the off road sections”. The overall score achieved was an impressive 96%.

 An assessment was also carried out of a proposed modest extension to the existing looped to allow for a partial re-opening of the ‘Bóthar Lár’ to cross the Goat Farm and access the road through “ Luí na Greine”. This would bring walkers by the Heritage Centre and later cross the working Goat Farm and would be especially attractive for families with children. This is described as “a very family friendly experience”, “popular and sustainable” and recommended as suitable for development by the National Trails Office.

Landowners whose property is crossed or adjoins approved recreational trails are covered by the IPB insurance policy with a limit of indemnity of €6,500,000 for “recreational or Leisure Activities” which excludes hunting as defined by the Wild Life Acts 1976.

Séamus Ó Drisceoil, Projects Office Comharchumann Chleire Teo is happy to discuss any further proposed extensions to the way marked trails on the Island with interested landowners.         

A special “go raibh míle maith agaibh” is due to those landowners who have supported the existing trails as well as to all those who have worked on the trails to bring them to such a high standard. It is hoped that sufficient resources will continue to be available to operate the trails to the current high standard.