Waterford LEADER Partnership has funded essential repairs to the popular St. Declan’s Way trail, via the Department of Rural and Community Development Walks Scheme.
A section of St. Declan’s Way in Cush of Grange, Co. Waterford had been experiencing significant drainage issues, causing the trail to be wet, muddy and unpleasant for walkers.
To solve this, Waterford LEADER Partnership has funded the drainage and repair works on this trail via the Walks Scheme. Sections of the trail have been resurfaced, side drains have been cleared and a piped cross drain has been added to prevent further drainage issues on this section of the trail.
Waterford LEADER Partnership secured €10,000 funding for St. Declan’s Way in 2023 via the Department of Rural and Community Development Walks Scheme Development Fund. This contributed to the repairs required on the trail.
Over 50 landowners are currently supported by Waterford LEADER Partnership via the Walks Scheme, to maintain the sections of trails which pass through their land.
The Walks Scheme contributes to the maintenance and development of walking and hiking trails across Co. Waterford, benefiting rural communities and economies.
For example, St. Declan’s Way attracts thousands of walkers each year and was recently described by the Irish Times as the “Irish Camino”.
Click here to read more about the St. Declan’s Way feature in the Irish Times.
Waterford LEADER Partnership will be supporting 12 more trails across Co. Waterford, in addition to St. Declan’s Way and the Anne Valley Walk in Dunhill, as the following trails will be joining the Walks Scheme this year:
- Rathgormack Boolas Loop Walk
- Ardmore Cliff Walk
- Waterford Estuary Coastal Path: Dunmore East to Ballymacaw Cove Linear
- The Nire Valley – Coumduala Loop, Coumlara Loop, the Gap and the Sgilloges
- Mt. Melleray Pilgrim Paths – The Cross, The Grotto, The Source, The Well and Byrne’s Bridge
