A new national walking route through the previously inaccessible River Nore valley in Co Kilkenny is to form the centrepiece of a regional tourism initiative launched yesterday by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív.
The 35km-long riverside walkway from Kilkenny city to the village of Inistioge is expected to be fully open in time for the next walking season in spring 2007.
Declan Rice, a spokesman for Barrow Nore Suir Rural Development, a company funded by the EU's Leader programme, said that the aim is to provide additional resources for recreational walkers in the region and attract tourists to rural areas as "many visitors to Kilkenny never get out beyond the ring road".
The Nore Valley Walk will begin at Ossory Bridge in Kilkenny city and end at the landmark 10-arch bridge at Inistioge.
The route will pass through the villages of Bennettsbridge and Thomastown and traverse the Mount Juliet estate. Mr Rice said it would be maintained, covered by public liability insurance and adequately sign-posted.
He added that "most landowners along the route have been great - especially the small farmers". It is understood that negotiations are still underway with a small number of landowners along sections of the route who have expressed concern about allowing public access.
Mr Rice said that in cases where these difficulties prove to be insurmountable the marked route might have to deviate briefly from the riverbanks.
Mr Ó Cuív said that Ireland has "the most magnificent climate; one of the best and most attractive climates in the world for outdoor pursuits", which should be actively marketed.
Fáilte Ireland research has found that 93 per cent of tourist walkers were satisfied with walking here and 86 per cent said they would recommend Ireland as a destination to other walkers.
The Minister later travelled to Inistioge to meet farmers who are working on the project. They are receiving payments under the Rural Social Scheme which allows farmers or fishermen who are unable to earn an adequate living from their traditional activities to earn a supplementary income.
The announcement was welcomed by the Heritage Council which claimed its research shows that "the public wants greater access to rivers which they regard as an important part of the national heritage".
