SligoWalks.ie, a website which outlines over 60 different marked walking routes in Sligo, was officially launched this week. The walks, which feature some of the most scenic routes in the country range from coastal routes to upland and hill walks, including the newly redeveloped Sligo Way, which covers a 10km route from Slish Wood to Dromohair.

The event, which included the launch of a specially commissioned Sligo Walks Promotional Video, took place at Sligo Airport in Strandhill, which lies adjacent to one of the official Sligo Walks, the Killaspugbrone Loop. As part of the launch event, guests were invited to take in the short walking route to Killaspugbrone Church, guided by local historian Sam Moore of the Institute of Technology, Sligo, and where official photos of the event were taken.

Speakers at the event included Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Mr Séamus Kilgannon and Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services at Sligo County Council. In addition, several members of Sligo’s many community walking groups spoke about their experiences of walking in Sligo. Jim Newman of Sligo Walking Club and Goretti Brennan of the North Sligo Walking Group described how walking has a positive impact not only on their physical wellbeing but also has a positive impact on mental health, a point echoed by Alan Sayers, an employee of the mental health services and who is also a long-standing member of the Sligo-Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, who also spoke at the event.

Deirdre Lavin of the Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership spoke about the various supports available to those who want to start up a walking club or to get involved in an existing group, and she also outlined plans to run a Walking Spring Series in Sligo in early 2018.

The website was designed and built by Paul Reidy in conjunction with Sligo County Council.

For more details on walking routes in Sligo, visit sligowalks.ie and register your interest today in getting active with one of the many walking groups in Sligo. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people, to enjoy our spectacular scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way and to stay healthy.