Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development

Embracing Ireland's Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: Discussion

2:00 am

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

I am sitting here in awe of what has been achieved in Wicklow. In east Galway, we have the Hymany Way going through Portumna but it comes all the way from the Cathaoirleach's area and goes further afield. It travels all the way up towards Northern Ireland. Patrick Sarsfield got married in Portumna. We have never re-enacted the marriage of Patrick Sarsfield. At the same time, I do not think we have an overall county strategy for the Hymany Way, which is a fantastic piece. We have monastic walks, but we could learn from all that Ms Coad and Mr. Byrne have achieved, even the counter piece. That is phenomenal. The branding is phenomenal. Going back to what Ms Coad said at the start, it is about investment in outdoor recreation. There is huge value in it. There is an economic driver in it, but maybe there has to be more collective thinking - it is what I go back to - between the counties as well. I thank them for their time and for sharing their vast experience here this morning.

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