National Trails Day 2nd October

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is a celebration of Ireland’s wonderful variety of trails and a chance for everyone to enjoy some of our most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains, rivers and lakes.
On Sunday, October 2nd, over 20,000 people took part in Ireland’s 4th National Trails Day! There were over 200 events available across the whole island guided by experts in the outdoors.
The following trips were hosted by CANI, Outdoor Providers and Canoe Clubs.
The Blackwater paddle went from Blackwater Town to the Moy and had over 60 people take part on the paddle. There was plenty of water on the river, which zipped the whole group along very quickly, making for a relaxing paddle down to Moy.
There were two paddle trips on Upper Lough Erne. One trip that left from Crom estate. The group had a nice relaxed paddle and went exploring round the islands at Crom Estate. The other trip on the Lough left from Lake Land Forum to Portora and then finished off by paddling back around the other side of Enniskillen town. Between the two trips there was over 25 people who took part.
Strangford Lough also had two trips. One trip left from Whiterocks and explored around the islands in this area. Tthe other trip left from Delamont and explored around this area of the Lough. The coaches said the weather was very foggy on the Lough but that it was super still, which meant everyone taking part had easy paddling conditions. Both trips attracted over 50 people, who had a go at paddling on Strangford.
The Foyle River saw 20 people turn up to take part in the trip that left from Prehen and paddled down to the peace bridge and then returned back to Prehen to finish.
The Lower Bann attracted over 30 people along to the paddle. The trip started at New Ferry West, the group then paddled up stream to explore Lough Beg. The coaches commented that the weather and conditions were perfect for the days paddle and everyone had a great time.
This meant that throughout all the paddles there were over 200 people and volunteers who took part on the day. It was great to know there were so many people out paddling at the same time.
This is what some of the participants had to say about the event:
“Just wanted to say a big thank you to your staff and volunteers who put on a great paddle day at strangford. I really enjoyed it and would hope to do it again in the future. Thank you again”
Sharon
“On behalf of the Sperrin U3A I would like to thank you and all who helped to make our Blackwater trip one of our most memorable outings. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you again.”
Pearl Burnside.
The expertise for all of the trips were provided by CANI, Xplore Outdoors, Action Outdoors, Share Holiday Village, Erne Paddlers, Intercity Paddlers, Piggin Paddlers, Lisburn City Paddlers, Belfast Kayak Club, Mid Ulster Canoe and Kayak, University of Ulster Jordanstown Canoe Club, County Antrim Paddle Sports, Foyle Paddlers, Causeway Coast Kayak Association and C3 Craigavon Canoe Club.
I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who gave up some of their time and helped to make national trails day a big success.