Feasibility Study for the Lough Conn/ Lough Cullen Recreational Trail Network Compiled by: Meehan Tully & Associates Ltd. : + 353 71 9146500 | [email protected] | : www.meehantully.com Mentoring and Business Support | Strategic Planning | Training | Community Development | Excellence Through People This Study has been undertaken with the assistance of the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: “Europe investing in rural areas” Feasibility Study for the Lough Conn/ Lough Cullen Recreational Trail Network EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... III 1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROMOTERS ............................................................................................................. 2 Walking Trails ................................................................................................................................. 3 Walking in Mayo ............................................................................................................................. 3 Mayo Walks .................................................................................................................................... 4 Recreational Trails .......................................................................................................................... 5 Greenways ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2. KNOCKMORE AND PONTOON ................................................................................................... 6 LOCAL HERITAGE ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Built Heritage .................................................................................................................................. 8 Natural Heritage ............................................................................................................................. 9 LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND AMENITIES ......................................................................................................... 11 Angling .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Local Walking and Cycling Trails ................................................................................................... 13 Local Recreational Amenities ........................................................................................................ 14 Walking Festivals and Clubs .......................................................................................................... 15 Planned Developments for the Region .......................................................................................... 16 3. POPULATION OF CATCHMENT AREA ....................................................................................... 18 DEMOGRAPHICS/ POPULATION STATISTICS OF CATCHMENT AREA .................................................................... 18 Population ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Age profile of population, Census 2016 ........................................................................................ 19 Size of households, Census 2016 ................................................................................................... 20 Family Cycle, Census 2016 ............................................................................................................. 21 Disability, Census 2016 .................................................................................................................. 21 General Health, Census 2016 ........................................................................................................ 21 Number of carers, Census 2016 .................................................................................................... 21 Means of travel to work, school or college, Census 2016 ............................................................. 21 Travel time to work, school or college, Census 2016 .................................................................... 22 Time of leaving for work, school or college aged 5+ ..................................................................... 22 Employment by sector ................................................................................................................... 22 Access to internet .......................................................................................................................... 22 4. PROJECT COST ......................................................................................................................... 23 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT TOURISM AND SPORT GREENWAY STRATEGY FUNDING .......................................... 23 DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTDOOR RECREATION SCHEME ................................ 23 DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOWN AND VILLAGE ENHANCEMENT SCHEME ............... 23 LEADER/ RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ............................................................................................. 24 FAILTE IRELAND GRANTS SCHEME FOR LARGE TOURISM PROJECTS ................................................................... 24 5. ECONOMIC POTENTIAL ........................................................................................................... 25 ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WALKING AND CYCLING PROJECTS .............................................................................. 25 i Feasibility Study for the Lough Conn/ Lough Cullen Recreational Trail Network Economic Analysis for a Trail ........................................................................................................ 26 Net Visitor Expenditure ................................................................................................................. 28 New to the Economy - Net Additional Expenditure ....................................................................... 31 HEALTH BENEFITS OF TRAILS ..................................................................................................................... 32 6. POLICY CONTEXT ..................................................................................................................... 34 PROJECT IRELAND 2040 (NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK) ........................................................................ 34 STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL GREENWAYS (2018) ............................ 35 MAYO LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PLAN (LECP) ............................................................................. 36 MAYO COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN (CDP) 2014-2020 ............................................................................. 37 DESTINATION MAYO A STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN COUNTY MAYO 2016 – 2021 ........................................................................................................................................ 39 MAYO COUNTY WALKING STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ................................................................. 41 MAYO SPORTS PARTNERSHIP STRATEGIC PLAN 2017 – 2021 ......................................................................... 42 IRISH TRAILS STRATEGY (2007) ................................................................................................................. 43 NATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION STRATEGY (2006) .............................................................................. 43 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED FOR THE STRATEGY ARE: ............................................................................ 44 A STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF IRISH CYCLE TOURISM 2007............................................................... 44 WILD ATLANTIC WAY OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME 2015-2019 ..................................................................... 45 POLICY SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 45 7. MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 46 Management Structure ................................................................................................................. 46 MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................................................... 47 Trail Inspection .............................................................................................................................. 47 Safety ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Insurance ....................................................................................................................................... 48 8. MARKETING ...........................................................................................................................