After this year's a hugely successful inaugural race event, the EcoTrail Wicklow 2020 is now officially open for Early Bird registrations.
The race which boasts 4 routes ranging from 18km - 80km, is set to return on the 26th of September.
Last year's event saw over 1,100 participants join the starting line at Bray Seafront, with a considerable number of international visitors keen to experience the Wicklow edition of the Ecotrail International Race Series.
Each of the routes is set against the Wicklow Uplands, with competitors visiting some of the region's well known attractions such as Bray Head, Belmont Demesne, Powerscourt Waterfall, Sugar Loaf Way, The Roundwood Reservoir Vartry Trails, Sally Gap, and Luggala.
This is a wonderful addition to Co. Wicklow's offering as a centre of outdoor pursuits under Wicklow County Tourism's brand 'Wicklow Outdoors'.
Congratulations to all involved!!
#ecotrail2020 #WicklowOutdoors #wicklowuplands ... See MoreSee Less
// Funding Announced //
County Wicklow is set to receive a funding of allocation of over €58,000 for five outdoor recreational amenities and associated projects.
This welcome news forms part of today’s announcement from the Department of Rural and Community Development that over €1.8 million in funding has been approved for 109 projects across the country under Measure 1 of the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The projects in county Wicklow are:
Donard Glens Walking Trails - Fauna Loop:
Development of a walking trail, including installation of trail infrastructure, signage, maps, gates and benches.€7,200
Wicklow Long Distance Walks:
Production of a series of informative videos on each of the Wicklow Walks. €14,720
Wicklow Way Infrastructure:
Upgrade of 10 information Trail Boards, new signage and repair works on Wicklow Way. €20,000
Knockananna Walking Loops:
Development of looped walking trail from the village of Knockananna including trail infrastructure, signage, map, gates and benches. €7,840
Baltinglass Cycle Trails Project:
Establishment of a network of marked on road looped cycling trails around Baltinglass. Works include trail headboard/design and installation and signage on
route. €8,800
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure is part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration and Development programme, and provides funding for the development and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways.
The funding awarded today will support small-scale local projects with funding of up to €20,000 for investment in outdoor recreation facilities and the promotion of existing recreation infrastructure.
Further announcements in relation to mid-sized and larger projects which have applied for funding under separate strands of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, are expected to be made soon.
According to the statement issued by the Department of Rural and Community Development:
“Our investment in outdoor recreation facilities and infrastructure also pays a significant economic dividend. Thousands of tourists make walking, hiking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits an important part of their stay in Ireland”.
“Last year alone, almost 2.7 million overseas visitors engaged in some form of cross country walking or hiking, while over 0.5 million visitors incorporated cycling into their stay. In addition, one in four of us included walking or hiking as part of our domestic holidays last year”.
#RuralRecreation #WicklowUplands #WicklowOutdoors
The Wicklow Way ... See MoreSee Less
"Close to where I live is one of the earliest surviving hexagonal post boxes (also known as a Penfold), dating from the reign of Queen Victoria and made between 1866 and 1879."
"This beauty, which is listed for preservation, was moved from its original location. It was deemed to be too close to the road having received a knock from a truck, so moved around the corner to a safer location, is still in active service, and is a well loved feature in our locality."
Wicklow based tour guide, Dairine Nuttall, shares an informative account of the historic post boxes found throughout Wicklow and Dublin - each with their own fascinating story to tell.
www.wicklowuplands.ie/post-boxes-through-the-years/
Published with kind permission from Ireland Tour Guide Dairine Nuttall
#CelebratingOurHeritage #HistoricPostBoxes
#StoriesSurroundUs #Post #WicklowUplands ... See MoreSee Less

Post boxes through the years - and postmen!
Wicklow based tour guide, Dairine Nuttall, shares an informative account of the historic post boxes found throughout Wicklow and Dublin- each with their own fascinating story to tell.