Blueway Initiative Launched

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts received a significant boost today, with the launch of a new development guide and accreditation scheme for Blueway development on the island of Ireland.

Blueways are a relatively new ‘water-orientated’ tourism and outdoor recreation alternative to Greenways in Ireland that aim to encourage more people to experience and enjoy our inland waterways, lakes, rivers and coastal areas around the island of Ireland. A number of Blueway sites have developed over the past 5 years by a range of agencies including Waterways Ireland.

The initial success of these sites has led to significant interest from many more Local Authorities and development agencies to develop further locations.

The new guideline and accreditation scheme launched today will support this development and ensure all Blueway are developed in a consistent way.

This initiative sees a number of stage agencies working in partnership, on an all-island basis and includes Waterways Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. All partners hope to see the development of Blueway sites in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over the coming years.

Further information on Blueway development is available from www.irishtrails.ie/Sport_Ireland_Trails/Blueways/