The Sheeps Head Way

THE Sheep's Head Way, one of Ireland's premier walking routes, has been nominated as a European Destination of Excellence.

Ms. Suzanne Whitty, who is secretary of the Sheep's Head Way, said: "It's a fantastic honour to have been short-listed as one of five nominees for this prestigious European award."

On April 9 next, the competition adjudicators will be visiting the Sheep's Head Peninsula to meet representatives of various community groups.

"Everything that is good and positive about our community will be highlighted during their four hour visit," said Suzanne.

"We are extremely proud of the unspoiled beauty of our landscape and we believe its unique character will meet the criteria of the competition, which is designed to honour destinations of excellence throughout the EU."

As well as offering visitors a diverse range of walking and cycling routes, the region has been designated as a special protected area due to the presence of protected bird species.  It also has a wealth of wildlife habitats, heritage sites, unusual flora and fauna.

The EU-wide competition is specifically aimed at tourism initiatives that are sustainable in economic, social and cultural terms.

example

"The Sheep's Head Way Walk is an excellent example of sustainability," said Suzanne. "It exists because of the co-operation of the landowners, the support of the community, and the co-operation of the people who use the walk."

The walk is also sustainable in that it is a product that "does not affect the environment, is a healthy activity, and is good for the local economy because it attracts tourists throughout the year."

The walkway is also a popular local amenity that has developed gradually over the last fifteen years.

Since it was launched as a fifty-five mile national way-marked trail in July 1996 –when it was officially opened by the then President Mary Robinson – it has expanded to become a 200-mile trail that stretches from the Sheep's Head Peninsula to Bantry, Drimoleague, Kealkil, Mealagh and Carriganass and links with the Beara Breifne route.

Today the Sheep's Head Way also encompasses eight national loop walks that offer tourists a greater choice and variety of off-road routes. These loop walks have been part-funded and accredited by the national tourism development organization, Failte Ireland.

The development of the way-marked trail would not have been possible without the support of the West Cork Community Partnership, Cork County Council, the Sports Council, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Fáilte Ireland.

It was with the backing of Fáilte Ireland that the European Union organised the inaugural EDEN event in 2007, and ten EU destinations – including the Irish winner, Clonakilty town and district – were selected. 

The following year, a further nineteen destinations were chosen including the Irish winner, the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. They, like the previous winners, were chosen because of the quality of their rural tourism initiatives.

This year, the four other Irish finalists include Ballyhoura Country in North Cork and East Limerick, which is an area of green pastures, woodlands, hills and mountains, and the Slieve League area in County Donegal, which encompasses a scenic coastline from Glen Bay at Glencolumbkille.

The other two finalists are Greenbox in South Donegal and North West Monaghan, which has been described as Ireland’s first ecotourism destination and the Gaeltacht area of Erris in County Mayo.

This year's EDEN winner – to be announced on May 11 next – will be deemed to have shown a better appreciation and preservation of their protected areas and will be awarded the title of Destination of Excellence.

The winner will receive €5,000 for business development and a certificate of achievement.  A promotional DVD of the winning destination will also be produced.

Reproduced from an article by Jackie Keogh written for The Southern Star