Blueway Initiative launched

Photo shows Blueway Partners – Cormac MacDonnell, Sport Ireland; Marian Leydon, Fáilte Ireland; Mike Mc Clure, Sport Northern Ireland; Norma Herron, Waterways Ireland; and Sheena Dickson, Tourism Northern Ireland.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will be pleased to hear about 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 that aim to encourage more people to experience and enjoy the inland waterways, lakes, rivers and coastal areas.

A number of blueway sites have developed over the last five 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 blueways 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.

For further information on Blueway development is available from www.bluewaydevelopment.org.