This weekend Trail Kilkenny’s flagship Nore Valley Walk will officially launch its second phase, to the delight of ardent walkers.
Passing through the beautiful land along the River Nore from Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge, the 11km walk will be opened by Minister for Equality, Integration and Human Rights, Mary White, on Saturday October 16, at 2pm.
Last year phase one of the walk was launched, from Thomastown to Inistioge, and the final section from Bennettsbridge to Thomastown is due to open early next year. When complete, the walk will connect Kilkenny to Inistioge with a 34 kilometre river trail. Eoin Hogan, Rural Development Officer with Trail Kilkenny, “People will be able to do the walk in phases and stop along the way in Bennettsbridge and Thomastown to enjoy local food and craft and scenery.”
Trail Kilkenny develops walks and other leisure and tourism trails in the county. It has not only developed walking trails but a “Made in Kilkenny” Craft Trail, Cycle Trails and A Taste of Kilkenny Food Trail. There are also plans to launch a Garden Trail and a ‘Haunted Kilkenny’ trail examining the county’s supernatural folklore.
Minister Mary White praised Trail Kilkenny for its great work in developing tourism in the county, “Walking is one of the simplest and most effective ways of exercising. Coupled with the beauty of the River Nore and the vibrancy of the local environment this walk is a winner.”
Leading the way in combining technology with walking, Trail Kilkenny launched Ireland’s first smartphone app to guide tourists and lovers of the outdoors around four of its walks - the first two sections of the Nore Valley Walk plus the Kilmacoliver Looped walk and the Castlemorris Wood walk. It also links walkers to nearby restaurants, pubs, craftspeople and other tourism businesses.
To date Trail Kilkenny has developed 9 ‘looped walking trails,’ with another six being planned. To download the smartphone app and for more information see www.trailkilkenny.ie
