Published on Tuesday3rdJune2014
Minister Ring Launches the Blueway
Pictured are Charlie Lambert, Martin Dillane, Laura Taylor, Rosaleen Ni Shuilleabhain, Humphery Murphy, Richard Thorn, Rory Mc Carthy, front, Maura Lyons, Minister Michael Ring and Sabrina Trench
The Blueway, a new initiative to complement the Wild Atlantic Way and to encourage visitors to discover our coastline, has been launched by Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring.
The Blueway is a pilot programme to encourage visitors to engage with the sea by developing trails for water activities such as snorkeling and kayaking and highlighting local activity providers and events at the five Blueway locations in counties Mayo and Galway.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Ring said:
Blueway offers an entirely new perspective on Ireland’s magnificent wild Atlantic coastline. The Blueway initiative provides visitors with a safe haven to immerse themselves in some of the most glorious coastal waters anywhere in the world.
The five coastal Blueway sites are in Counties Galway and Mayo - Boffin Harbour on Inishbofin, Killary Fjord in Leenane, Keem on Achill Island, and Mannin Bay and Old Head in Mayo.
Recent research indicated that over 84,000 overseas visitors engage in water-sports every year when on holiday in Ireland with the vast majority of those taking part in kayaking and snorkeling. The Blueway project supports the development of kayaking and snorkeling water trails in the pilot locations to support communities to develop new experiences for visitors along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Read the full press release
here.