Report looks at possibility of new Connemara tourist trail

A report has been commissioned to examine the possibility of linking two of Connemara’s main tourist attractions.

Fáilte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has sought expressions of interest for a “feasibility and scoping assessment” of the possible links from Connemara National Park to Kylemore Abbey.

The tender invites were issued this week, two years after the National Trails Office undertook a recreational trail assessment of the national park in Connemara.

That report outlined and recommended potential links to Kylemore Abbey, and recommended that these potential links should be investigated further.

The report also outlined the potential for new trail infrastructure east of Kylemore Farm and a link route for cyclists and walkers between Letterfrack and The Park Visitor Centre and Kylemore Abbey.

Now, as part of a strategic partnership, two state agencies and a Government Department, have sought expressions of interest to carry out the study.

The strategic partnership was launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in January.

It brings together the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the NPWS and Fáilte Ireland to achieve the shared goal of further developing quality visitor experiences at Ireland’s National Parks and Nature Reserves.

The purpose of the partnership is to benefit local communities through growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and to increase Ireland’s appeal as a holiday destination.

The initial round of funding will focus on the five National Parks and five Nature Reserves along the Wild Atlantic Way (and Wicklow National Park on Ireland’s Ancient East), including Connemara National Park, with a view to undertaking feasibility, scoping and design of tourism projects at these sites.

As part of the initial investment, Fáilte Ireland has approved the undertaking of feasibility and scoping assessment of possible links from Connemara National Park to Kylemore Abbey.

Earlier this year, the strategic partnership outlined plans for Coole Park in South Galway.