The hills, forests and coasts of Mayo were alive and kicking last Sunday as more than 10 free events took place across the county to celebrate National Trails Day 2011. The purpose of the event was to encourage people of all ages and ability to enjoy the great Irish outdoors available to all 365 days a year. This year an estimated 10,000 people took part in events on trails in all the nooks and crannies of Ireland’s forests, hills, mountains, and rivers.
National Trails Day is an all-Ireland event organised by Coillte, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council, and Fáilte Ireland.
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, was encouraged by the number of people who participated in the multitude of events that took place. Speaking this week the Minister said he hoped that National Trails Day would be the first step many people would take in taking advantage of the incredible free resource Irish people have right at their feet.
