Waterford’s stunning Greenway has been crowned Ireland’s ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ in the LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) All-Ireland Community and Council Tourism Awards 2018 competition.
But, above and beyond that, it also won the overall best national award – the “Grand Prix Award for 2018” which is a one-off special commendation for outstanding excellence.
It’s a spectacular double coup as the 46km off-road cycling and walking trail edges towards its very 1st birthday celebrations on March 25th.
Paying tribute after the awards to the staff who built, maintain and promote the Greenway and the communities who have embraced it and made so many visitors feel welcome, Council CEO Michael Walsh said: “We strive for our county and our communities to be self-sufficient, to provide local employment, to enhance our local natural resources for the County’s economic, social and cultural benefit and also for the benefit of future generations. We’ve developed the Greenway and they have come – in their droves.”
Photographer – Paul Sherwood paul@sherwood.ie 087 230 9096
2018 All Ireland Community & Council Awards presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA (Local Authority Members Association), Croke Park Stadium. February 2018
Pictured Team of Waterford Greenway, Waterford County Council, winner of Grand Prix Award and the ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ award, Cllr Pat Nugent of Waterford County Council with ,George Jones, Chairman of IPB Insurance and Mags Murray, Chairperson of LAMA Executive at the 2018 All Ireland Community & Council Awards presented, by IPB Insurance and LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) in Croke Park Stadium on Saturday 3rd February. The event, now in its 12th year, celebrates collaborations between councils and communities, bringing national recognition to local projects and initiatives.
“The Waterford Greenway has transformed this county. There is no doubt about that. The economic benefits are evident everywhere you go. Coffee shops, hotels and other accommodation providers, bars, shops, restaurants, bike hire companies and more all reporting a boom in trade.
“But the real winners are the people of Waterford who have been such great Greenway ambassadors as well as the families, the groups, the individuals who use our Greenway again and again and who are reaping the health and wellbeing benefits. That will be its true legacy, I believe.”
Figures released in early December show that since it opened in March 2017, 247,545 have enjoyed using the Waterford Greenway. Of these, 105,639 were on foot and 141,906 have cycled it. Well over 9 out of 10 (94%) of visitors to the Waterford Greenway www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com rated it as either excellent or good.
The Waterford Greenway is Ireland’s longest greenway and the spectacular, 46km off-road cycling and walking trail stretches from the Viking City of Waterford to the picturesque coastal town of Dungarvan.
Visitors are invited to travel along Waterford Greenway in Ireland’s Ancient East from the City along the River Suir, by Mount Congreve Gardens, through Kilmacthomas, across eleven bridges, over three impressive viaducts and through a 400m long tunnel; with wonderful views of the Comeragh Mountains, the Copper Coast and Dungarvan Bay.
