Pictured preparing for the Wicklow Outdoors Festival are Brian Conway from Wicklow Cycles, Ronan Mullen from Adventure.ie, Dairine Nuttall from Wicklow Nordic Walking, Ray McKeon from Wicklow Boat Hire
Issued 16th March 2010
16th – 18th April 2010
Wicklow is set to get active from the 16th to 18th April as the Garden County gets ready for its first ever ‘Wicklow Outdoors Festival’. Organised by Wicklow County Tourism & Fáilte Ireland, this exciting new festival features over 30 different activities to suit all ages and most are absolutely free! Events will take place the length and breadth of the county and participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wild beauty of the Wicklow’s outdoors.
The range of free activities on offer during the festival include kayaking, archery, horse riding, paintballing, hiking, a range of guided walking tours, sky-treks, treasure hunts, cycling, sailing, windsurfing and even Nordic walking – just to name a few! A new website has been created, www.wicklowoutdoors.ie, where you can view all the details and choose your activities. Organisers are advising that people book their free place in advance – as spaces on many events are limited and will fill up quickly.
The Wicklow Outdoors Festival is not the only outdoor event taking place during the 16th – 18th April next; The Wicklow Adventure Race and the Tinahely Trail Walking Festival also takes place that weekend which will ensure that Wicklow is the place to be for those looking for an active & lively weekend.
Tourism Development Officer with Wicklow County Tourism, Fred Verdier said, “This festival is long overdue and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the variety of activities that Wicklow has to offer. There is such a diversity of landscape within this one county; from sea and mountains to lakes and forests, all to be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts.” He added, “Wicklow continues to be the preferred outdoor activities destination for Dubliners. Now is the time to shout about this, to make sure that locals as well as visitors from far and wide know about the wonderful amenities that our county has to offer.”
Commenting on the festival Michael Brady, Fáilte Ireland representative said, “Festivals and outdoor participative events are a very important component of Ireland’s tourism offering. Festival’s such as the Wicklow Outdoors Festival assist in the branding and promotion of Co. Wicklow as a destination of choice for those visitors seeking something more from their stay in the county. The Wicklow Outdoors Festival is providing both locals and visitors to the county with an opportunity to experience the wide range of outdoor activities which we believe will enhance their overall experience and enjoyment of what the county has to offer."
Mr. Brady went on to say, “Spending by festival goers provides a valuable boost to urban and rural economies which in turn supports local employment and creating opportunities for the hospitality and outdoor adventure sectors.”
He added “we would like to thank all those involved in the organisation of the festival, particularly the outdoor tourism providers for providing their services for free during the weekend. Without everybody’s cooperation this festival would not have been possible."
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