Training Courses

We have confirmed dates for Trail Monitoring & Maintenance, Trail Planning and Trail Development workshops.

The following Trail Monitoring & Maintenance (free of charge) workshops have been confirmed. Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided to participants, the courses will start at 10am and finish at 4pm:

Tues 20th October 2026 – Hibernian Hotel Mallow, Cork, P51 HE63 (for bookings, contact Colm O’Connor colm.oconnor@irdduhallow.com)
Wed 21st October 2026 – Killeshin Hotel Portlaoise, Laois, R32 TYW7 (for bookings, contact Marie Burke RRO@connectlaois.ie)
Tues 3rd November 2026 - Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon, F52 PY66 (for bookings, contact Emma O’Hagan rro@ldco.ie)
Wed 4th November 2026 - Gartan Outdoor & Education Centre, Donegal, F92 T853 (for bookings, contact Inga Bock ibock@dldc.org) - The M&M course in Gartan has been cancelled due to low numbers.

The following Trail Planning workshops have been confirmed, the fee for non-voluntary organisations is €120 per person per workshop and for voluntary organisations/RROs is €50 per person per workshop (Sport Ireland are subsidising the cost to make the course more accessible to voluntary organisations). Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided to participants:

Tues 10th November 2026 – Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Roscommon, F52 PY66 (for bookings, contact Kyle Flynn rro@ridc.ie)

Payment links: Lough Key voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Lough Key Standard Rate
Wed 11th November 2026 - Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, N91YH2F (For bookings, contact Leona Galligan ruralrec@ccld.ie)

Payment links: Mullingar Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Mullingar Standard Rate
Mon 23rd November 2026 - Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West, Limerick, V42 TD72 (For bookings contact Mike Cleary mcleary@ballyhoura.org)

Payment links: Limerick Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Limerick Standard Rate
Wed 25th November 2026 - Barrow Valley Community Development, Old Dock, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny, R95 EKN5 (For bookings, contact sodonnell@sportireland.ie)

Payment links: Kilkenny Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Kilkenny Standard Rate

The following Trail Development workshops have been confirmed, the fee for non-voluntary organisations is €120 per person per workshop and for voluntary organisations/RROs is €50 per person per workshop (Sport Ireland are subsidising the cost to make the course more accessible to voluntary organisations). Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided to participants:

Wed 18th November 2026 - Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, N91YH2F (For bookings, contact Leona Galligan ruralrec@ccld.ie)

Payment links: Mullingar Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Mullingar Standard Rate
Thurs 19th November 2026 – Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Roscommon, F52 PY66 (for bookings, contact Kyle Flynn rro@ridc.ie)

Payment links: Lough Key Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Lough Key Standard Rate
Tues 24th November 2026 - Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West, Limerick, V42 TD72 (For bookings contact Mike Cleary mcleary@ballyhoura.org)

Payment links: Limerick Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Limerick Standard Rate
Thurs 26th November 2026 - Barrow Valley Community Development, Old Dock, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny, R95 EKN5 (For bookings, contact sodonnell@sportireland.ie)

Payment links: Kilkenny Voluntary Organisation/RRO Rate - Kilkenny Standard Rate

Payment can be made via Eventbrite (see the above links).
Payments can also be made by cheque made payable to: Sport Ireland. This can be posted to our office address below or take it with you on the day:

FAO: Shaun O’Donnell, Sport Ireland, The Courtyard, Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, D15 PN0N.

We can't accept payments by card or cash.

Mountaineering Ireland are also running 2 courses:

Key Considerations in Upland Path Management course outline
Basic Path Maintenance in Upland Areas course outline

For further information or to book a place, please contact Rozanne Bell on rozanne@mountaineering.ie

Sport Ireland Outdoors have developed a number of training courses suitable for people wishing to develop skills in the area of recreational trail planning, development, maintenance, and management. The courses combine a classroom and practical approach and are embedded in best practices. All course tutors have a wealth of experience in their respective fields.

Courses Available

Walking Trail Planning

To give learners the tools and confidence to effectively develop sustainable and enjoyable walking trails, while navigating issues such as land ownership, insurance, environmental considerations and funding.

Walking Trail Development

To equip learners with the tools and understanding to effectively develop a sustainable walking trail, including selecting the physical attributes, costing & funding the project and planning for long-term management.