Project Profiles

Supporting the development of community facilities

Tramway Theatre in Blessington was officially opened by President Mrs. Mary McAleese on 26th October 2010. The theatre is the brainchild of Blessington & District Forum who negotiated the building of the theatre as part of St. Mary’s Senior NS: the theatre serves as a general purpose room during school hours and as a community theatre at all other times. The theatre is run by a designated limited company and has been approved a total of €115,487 for internal fit out including lighting, stage drapes and sound. These funds together with private match funding and considerable voluntary input has resulted in a state of the art performance space for the west Wicklow area. The project has stimulated there juvenation of the youth and adult musical and dramatic societies and increased audiences for all performances.

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Follow the link to the Tramway Theatre website:

http://blessington.info/tramway-theatre/about-us.php

Supporting trail development: Tinahely Railway Walk Extension

Tinahely Area Development group received funding under the last LEADER programme for the development of Tinahely Railway Walk and it opened in 2007. The walk has since been awarded an excellence award from Walking Trails Ireland. Earlier in 2010, Tinahely Area Development was awarded a grant under the current programme to extend the railway walk from car park to the Togher Bridge, a distance of almost 2 km. The extended trail passes by the Derry river, through enchanting woodland to the beautiful stone bridge known as “the Togher” and has received approval from the National Trails Office.This walk complements the three new looped walks in the area, all of which enhance the package offered through the Walkers Welcome Programme in which Tinahely participates.

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Follow the link to the Tinahely community website:

http://www.tinahely.ie/

Supporting sustainable Forestry industry in County Wicklow

CWP, in association with Wicklow Private Woodlands Owners Group(WPWOG), commissioned a study to support all those involved in private forestry within Co. Wicklow. The formation of the WPWOG was promoted by Wicklow Uplands Council, with funding from the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and Food and other partners and supported by Teagasc and Wicklow County Council.
Specifically this study produced the following:-

• A timber forecast for private forests in Wicklow for the period of 2010 to 2030.
• An assessment of the needs of private forest owners in the County with regard to preparing their timber for market
• The production of a market analysis for timber grown in the county which will identify the current and potential markets for such material
• An analysis of the level of interest among private forest owners in diversifying into Tourism and Leisure enterprises within their forest plantations.

Over 100 people attended a forestry and tourism seminar which was organised as part of the study indicating the interest in both the timber output and the tourism and leisure potential of Wicklow’s many and varied forests. CWP is pleased to have supported this study with grant aid amounting to €17,250 under the LEADER Rural Development Programme and looks to supporting this group in its endeavors in the future in recognition of one of our indigenous industries which has the potential to add value and create sustainable employments and livelihoods utilising a renewable source of energy.

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Supporting Rural Tourism - Hidden Valley Camping Park,Rathdrum

In recognition of the importance of tourism to the wider economy in Wicklow, County Wicklow Partnership supported the owners of Hidden Valley Caravan & Camping Park, Rathdrum, to upgrade its on site facilities in order to reach Fáilte Ireland’s 4 Star rating. Specifically the works included the development of a fully serviced tourismsite, upgrading of road surfaces and the addition of an ‘AdventurePlayground’ which is set into the natural landscape at the park. The park also offers bike and kayak hire. Business has been growing steadily, making it one of Ireland’s premier parks which has benefited the Rathdrum area and the county as a whole. CWP is delighted to have supported this project under the LEADER Rural Development Programme with funding amounting to €77,728.

Researching opportunities for Wicklow Lamb

In recognition of Wicklow being synonymous for producing quality lamb coupled with the importance of sheep farming in the county. CWP in association with Enniskerry and Roundwood branches of the IFA and Teagasc undertook a significant investigative study into the potential of a branded Wicklow lamb product. This study was crucial given that the national ewe flocks have fallen in recent years from 6 million to under three million.This trend is mirrored in Wicklow, a county which is ideal for sheep rearing with its physical landscape of rolling mountains and hillsides.Funding of €29,700 was approved to carry out this valuable study which offers great potential to sheep farmers to gain more margin and develop a branded quality product.

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Rural Tourism - Woodlands Falconry

County Wicklow Partnership was pleased to support this new addition to the tourism product offering in the county. Woodlands Falconry is situated at Rathwood close to the Wicklow/ Carlow border. The promoter Tommy Byrne has a long history of working with birds of prey and has been involved in breeding and flying many different types of hawks, falcons, eagles and owls for over 30 years. CWP assisted the promoter to combine his passion and business acumen by establishing ‘Woodlands Falconry’. Specifically funding of €11,617 was awarded to assist with the development of the falconry including aviaries and weatherings to house the birds. The introduction of this new tourism/educational attraction has been very well received and has enhanced the overall tourism product offering in the county.