“Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors” is a National Outdoor Recreation Strategy setting out the government’s ambition to develop and use the land and seascape for exercise in a more coordinated and sustainable way. We all know that this is vital for health and wellbeing, mental and physical.
Clare is one of six counties being used as a pilot to deploy Outdoor Recreation Officers (OROs), dedicated professionals tasked with coordinating and facilitating outdoor recreational plans; this is being administered through Clare Local Sports Partnership, a body dedicated to increasing participation in sports and physical activity.
Jessica O’Keefe is the appointed ORO for Clare. She is launching a consultation process whereby local communities, sports clubs, walking/cycling groups and businesses and tour guides providing activities (for locals and tourists) can contribute to a county plan to enhance opportunities for recreation and exercise.
On Thursday this week (14 November), she will be holding a consultation meeting for North Clare in the Burren Visitor Centre @ 7pm. (There will also be an opportunity to contribute via an online survey.)
This is YOUR opportunity to consider and state what you feel is important to improve recreational activity in our area, on land or on sea and in lakes. Obvious questions include what should be done to improve local opportunities for safe walking, running and cycling, and for indoor exercise too.
So be there at 7pm on Thursday if you want to make your voice heard. The meeting will be in the Kilfenora Céilí Band Exhibition Room – enter by the front door.
