Natural Response Tourism Project

In June 2004, BRP was offered grant aid of £822,187 for the delivery of a three-year Natural Resource Tourism project. The project is funded by the European Union INTERREG IIIA Programme Ireland/Northern Ireland through the Irish Central Border Area INTERREG IIIA Partnership (ICBAN). Match funding through cash contributions via local authorities and the community sector, along with ‘in kind’ contributions via physical works have increased the natural Resource Tourism budget to £1,096,250.

The aims of this project are:

Economic Diversity

• Promote Natural Resource Tourism
• Develop a programme of access to the countryside to include implementation of the Famine Walls programme, the Bragan Access programme and eco-trails
• Develop an international angling classic event to increase cross-border / trans-national participation
• Promote niche markets e.g. angling and gilles
• Investigate the Ulster Canal and its social and economic impacts

Enhancement of the Environment

• Sustain and enhance habitats via an Educational & Awareness programme for the visiting market and a programme promoted to schools for learning.

Image and Promotion

• Comprehensive marketing plan for the catchments area including promotional literature
• Brand the product in light of natural resource within the area
• Develop niche marketing – Archaeological trail, walking, cycling and angling.

Progress to date

Ulster Canal Cycle trail:  The aim of this project is to link National Cycle Routes 91/95 in Northern Ireland with the Kingfisher Trail in Co. Monaghan. The route extension will be approximately 65km long using minor roads; linking Peatlands Park, (Craigavon Borough Council) to Benburb (Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council) via Charlemont and Blackwater (Armagh City & District Council), and also linking Tynan (Armagh City & District Council) via Caledon (Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough) with Clones in Co. Monaghan. The link was originally envisaged as part of the extended National Cycle Network and is indicated on the Sustrans Belfast to Ballyshannon route map. This extension will provide:

• A direct route from Belfast to Carrick-on-Shannon
• Three circular extensions to the National Cycle Routes 91, 94 and 95
• A circular extension to the Lough Neagh trail

BRP will work closely with Sustrans (Sustainable transport charity) and Road Service NI and Monaghan County Council.  In addition the route, cycle trails and public participation within the catchments will be actively promoted.

The finer details and requirement for the route are currently being defined with the aid of Sustrans and on completion of this BRP and Sustrans will work at local level with Road Service NI and Monaghan County Council to develop the trails.

Environmental Education Publication:  BRP is devising a publication that will cover all aspects of environmental education relating directly to the Blackwater Regional Partnership Natural Resource Tourism project. The publication will comprehensively include ALL habitats and environmental aspects encountered within the Blackwater region BUT will be specifically targeted to the Blackwater Regional Partnership area.

It is envisaged that this publication will become the core Blackwater Regional Partnership Educational product, providing the main branded component of a comprehensive integrated educational strategy specifically targeted to the region and aimed for age 7 - 12 user group and will be distributed to all schools within the BRP catchments.

As further projects develop information will be made available here on the BRP website.