Council plans to transform Cork into walking haven for tourists

Plans have been drawn up to turn Co Cork into a premier destination for walkers in the hope of boosting tourism revenue.

A report issued by Cork County Council’s tourism special purposes committee (SPC) has identified 104 walking trails which could be enhanced with the help of community organisations and tied into a package with heritage and food trails and water-based activities.

Details of the plan were given by officials to SPC chairman, Independent councillor Alan Coleman and his colleagues, who welcomed its recommendations.

The SPC wants to establish a countywide partnership group with community organisations to expand walking and cycling tourism.

It has recommended a business case for appointing a county trails co-ordinator to oversee the venture and standardise signage advertising the routes.

Fáilte Ireland said that at present, Cork is not regarded as a destination for such activities.

Dunmanway-based Independent councillor Declan Hurley described the report’s recommendations as “a no brainer”, adding: “[The council] should provide leadership to communities on this. With not a lot of investment this could have a massive amount of potential.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Christopher O’Sullivan said places like his home town of Clonakilty could become centres for looped walks or cycling trails.

Fine Gael councillor Derry Canty said the council had only to look at what had been achieved by the local authority in Mayo in recent years by opening up several trails — especially on old railway lines.