County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
major attraction in its own right. A local community group has submitted a plan to
develop the garden.
2. The ice house at Donadea is in a derelict state at present and is not signposted. The
structure is of architectural and historical interest. At Florencecourt House near
Enniskillen the National Trust has restored a similar ice house and included it on the
nature trail.
3. The coffee shop could possibly be expanded and an additional craft shop added
selling local arts and crafts and wood based artefacts.
4. A soil section exposed by development work could be preserved and included as a
geological feature on the nature trail.
5. The number of events hosted in the Forest Park, such as Bat Walk and Talk in
Heritage Week, should be increased to expand the visitor base and introduce more
people to the amenity.
6. Discussions with the private sector in relation to franchising the coffee shop, art and
crafts shop and a future garden centre should be considered.
7. The 9/11 Memorial has given Donadea international importance which should be
encouraged by advertising the annual commemoration nationally and internationally.
The development of the amenity could be achieved through the continuing partnership
between the Tír Na Móna Community Group, Coillte, Kildare County Council and Kildare
Failte and should include discussions with the private sector involved in the coffee shop,
craft shop and garden centre business.
The Forest Park is already well promoted. Local service providers should be encouraged
by Kildare Failte to make reference the Forest Park in all their promotional material. The
Coillte Forest Guide and Nature Trail booklet should be available at the entrance to the
Park or in the coffee shop.
The walking route is at a sufficient level of development for immediate promotion.
Lullymore Island (W25): This proposed route scored second receiving 195 points out of
a potential 250 (78%). It is a proposed route that combines established canal bank walks,
a peatland conservation centre and an important ecclesiastical site. The combination of
successful and committed public and private stakeholders in the area adds to the potential
of the route. Bord na Móna, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Waterways Ireland,
Lullymore Heritage Park and local farmers all have an interest in seeing a successful
walking route developed. The Development Plan should include the following:
1. A meeting of local stakeholders at the invitation of Kildare County Council to discuss
co-operative development and promotion of the walking route is required. A
development committee of stakeholders chaired by Kildare County Council is one
possible approach.
2. Some agreement on rights of way may need to be addressed.
3. An integrated approach to trail furniture, signage, information boards, picnic tables and
the supply of services will need to be developed. Sponsorship might be obtained from
quarrying interests in the area.
4. The development committee should estimate the cost of upgrade and integration and
obtain advice from Kildare County Council on the most appropriate funding strategy for
implementing the development.
CSA Project 3419 16