County Kildare Walking Routes Project - Kildare.ie

County Kildare Walking Routes Project
addressing some of them. Signage is quite good but will need some updating and
maintenance. One of the Slí signposts was lying on the ground. Stiles may need some
maintenance and signage across field to direct people along the headlands will be
necessary. The riverside walk is littered with rubbish and there are sections where short
term unsightly new construction activities spoil the serenity of the walk.
9. There are no identified looped walks adjacent to the route.
10. This is a local urban route which is of regional but not necessarily national importance.
It does have the theme of Pilgrimage through its association with St. Brigid’s Well and
the Abbey at Newabbey and Equestrian with the stud farms in the area and could be
promoted on that basis.
11. Kilcullen Community Action has been successful in securing some private sector funding
for development of the riverside walk since the 1970s. There are a number of new
companies based in Kilcullen that could be approached as well.
12. The Camphill Community run a coffee shop on the main street in Kilcullen which also
houses a craft shop with books, gifts and pottery as well as wooden toy's and products
from their weaving workshop. Shops, pub and post office are available on the Main Street
at the start and end of the walk. There are several pubs that serve good food and an award
winning restaurant in the town. There are two Bord Failte approved bed and breakfasts in
Kilcullen (one is three miles from the town on the Dunlavin Road close to the walking
route)
13. There are no visitor attractions within walking distance of the route.
14. Tour Operators that specialise in Walking Tours report that lowland walking routes, in
spite of heavy promotion including TV coverage, do not attract any bookings. This
route is of local and regional interest and could be promoted by local B&Bs and Bus
Eireann as a one day break from Dublin.
15. Fishing is well promoted along the River Liffey by the local angling club and permits
can be purchased in the petrol filling station in the town. Kilcullen is close to three race
courses at Naas, Punchestown and the Curragh. Family breaks that include walking,
fishing or cycling as an alternative to racing could be based in Kilcullen. The
Pilgrimage/St. Brigid connection could be promoted as one of a string of one day visits
to sites associated with early Irish monasticism.
16. Walker specific services like drying rooms and packed lunches are not particularly catered
for.
17. There is a lively pub culture in the town at night with an award winning restaurant on the
main street.
18. There is an information board at the start of the Valley Riverside Park with
comprehensive information on the route, including built heritage, flora and fauna. Apart
from promotion of the Slí na Sláinte route on the Irish Heart Foundation website there was
no other promotion of the route found.