Walks Development Programme

A Walks Development Project was initiated in October 2006 as part of a bigger Community Support Programme with the aim of encouraging cross-border community activity and social interaction. The programme is funded by Border Action through the INTERREG 111A Programme for Ireland/Northern Ireland. The cross-border walks development officer, Daphne Purdy, is employed by Monaghan County Council and based in Caledon, Co Tyrone with the Blackwater Regional Partnership team.

Specific objectives of the project include increasing awareness of and participation levels in recreational walking and walking for health. The walks development officer will also provide assistance, guidance and support to those developing walking trails and will assist the three member councils of Armagh, Dungannon & South Tyrone and Monaghan to produce walks development strategies.

One of the big successes of the programme to date has been the organisation of a Blackwater Rambling programme of events for 2007. This was produced as a result of all of the walking and rambling clubs in the region coming together and each offering to host an event that would be open to all of the other clubs both within and outside of the region as well as to the general public. These events have allowed the clubs and the local communities to showcase the best of what the region has to offer in terms of landscape, heritage and hospitality and has allowed both locals and visitors alike, from north and south of the border to explore the places and meet the people of the Blackwater basin. Watch this space for the 2008 programme!

You do not need to be super-fit to enjoy walking. People walk for different reasons: to enjoy wonderful scenery, to explore different parts of the country, to feel at one with nature, for fresh air, health and fitness, for companionship – whatever the reason you will find what you are looking for in the Blackwater region.

Walking is not just a physical but also a very social activity. There are a number of proactive walking clubs within the Blackwater region, each of which have their own club programmes offering a range of walks and social occasions throughout the year. Every walk is led by competent guides and new members are always welcome and looked after.


Please click here for rambling programme

ARMAGH RAMBLING CLUB
Patricia Cassidy           
tel: +44 (0)7729939851

Email: patricia.tts@btinternet.com

DERRYNOOSE WALKING CLUB
Marian Corvan 
 tel: +44 (0)28 3756 8336
 
Email: mariancorvan@hotmail.com

CLOGHER VALLEY WALKING CLUB
Rowena Bailey
tel: +44 (0)28 8556 8915

Email: rebailey_uk@btinternet.com

DUNGANNON & DISTRICT RAMBLING CLUB
May Walker
tel: +44 (0)28 8772 3536

Email: may.walker@tiscali.co.uk

WASHINGBAY WALKING CLUB
Mary O’Neill
tel: +44 (0)28 8774 8190

Email: mteoneill@hotmail.com

BLAYNEY RAMBLERS
Nick Hore
tel: +353 (0)42 9746554

Email: nickyrita@eircom.net

CLONTIBRET WALKING CLUB
Thomas McSkane
tel: +353 (0)47 80904

KNOCKATALLON RAMBLING CLUB  
Paddy Sherry
tel: +353 (0)87 9670379

Email: paddyparaban@eircom.net