County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
e) Periodic market research and dissemination of results is useful to target promotion
and advertising and measure the success of the promotional strategy. Involving third
level institutes (e.g. NUI Maynooth) is a cost effective way of achieving results.
f) The continuous updating of information on walking in Kildare on national and
regional websites, both public and private, is required. Kildare walks do not currently
appear on many of these sites (for example Kildare heritage towns do not appear on
http://www.heritageisland.com/visitor_attractions.asp.) This could be addressed by IT
administrative assistance to the tourism development officer, who could also forward
uploads of relevant information to Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, walking sites etc.
g) Information Leaflets. There are a very significant number of publications and
brochures on walking routes in Kildare. Many of these are out of print. A review of
existing material and their effectiveness and a plan to update and reprint earlier
publications should be considered. For example an update and reprint of “Towpath
Trails – A Walkers Guide to the Canal Towpaths of County Kildare” originally
produced by County Kildare Vocational Education Committee and Cospóir is an
achievable first step that will introduce these walks to an influx of new residents in
North Kildare who are looking for walking routes in their area. Information leaflets
and walking guides could be distributed through petrol filling stations, hotels,
guesthouses and tourist information centres, as well as through schools and
colleges.
h) Standardisation of the Walking product/service. The National Waymarked Ways
Advisory Council has established national guidelines that effectively deliver a
recognisable brand for walking trails anywhere in Ireland. Kildare County Council
should adopt this “brand” in planning guidelines and advice to walking route
development in the county and make it a condition of funding support. A
standardised Heritage Town Walk map, guide and signage would increase the
attractiveness of these routes to visitors.
i) Joint Promotional Activities. Kildare County Council will be informed of planned
activities by Bord na Móna, Kildare Sports Partnership, Waterways Ireland, Coillte,
MERTA and private tourism sector service providers through the Tourism Strategy
Group. Where appropriate Kildare County Council can choose to contribute and/or
mange joint promotional activities to achieve maximum impact. Kildare County
Council could co-operate with the Kildare Sports Partnership to develop heritage
aspects of the Slí na Sláinte routes. The leaders could include heritage appreciation
in their training schedule with new walkers.A joint promotion with a petrol distribution
company, for example, could include support for the production of county walking
guides with distribution from filling stations in County Kildare to reach a nontraditional
walking audience.
j) Promotion of Heritage. Kildare County Council could build on the above activities
by forming a stronger alliance with the Heritage Council to promote the unique built
and natural heritage of County Kildare. Significant strides have been made to
achieve this through the office of Heritage Officer. However, new walking routes
such as Pilgrim routes linked to the cult of Brigid (Dara) could be initiated and The
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