FRANCIS BRADLEYgoes back to basics
BACK TO BASICS:Hillwalking – you'd love to try it but have a terrible sense of direction and, anyhow, you don't know anybody who does it. Walkabout Wicklow Ltd along with the People's College, Dublin are offering an introduction to hillwalking course. It includes two evening theory sessions and four guided walks (Saturdays and Sundays), and is designed to teach beginners the basics of hillwalking.
Topics, like hillwalking equipment, walking safety, map and compass use are covered. The course begins on October 12th and costs €95 depending on numbers. See walkaboutwicklow.com or peoplescollege.ie.
WALKING APP:Trail Kilkenny has launched an iPhone Walking Guides for Ireland. The app allows users to find and navigate walks and download maps. It also links walkers to nearby restaurants, pubs, craftspeople and other tourism businesses. The app is the result of a partnership between Trail Kilkenny and Everytrail, a US company which specialises in the plotting, upload and sharing of routes of varying types all over the world. Initially, the app includes four walks with more to be added in the coming months.
The cost of downloading the four walks is €2.35 or the walks can be purchased separately for €77c. Tel: 056-7752111 or see trailkilkenny.ie.
ROYAL ROUTE:Waterways Ireland will mark the completion of the restoration of the Royal Canal's main line with an event at Richmond Harbour, Clondra, Co Longford on October 1st at 2pm.
This is the culmination of 36 years of campaigning by the Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG). The event will be followed by a weekend of celebrations organised by the RCAG’s Clondra branch and supported by Waterways Ireland. See waterwaysireland.org.