Archive
Seminar on Future Uses of Towpaths June 2007
The Heritage Council hosted a towpath seminar on the 20th June 2007 at the Tullamore Court Hotel.
Towpaths are used currently as paths to allow maintenance crews to access the navigation. Many people enjoy the towpaths for walking but they are under-used in many parts. The proceedings were published in late 2007.
The purpose of the seminar is to examine the economic, leisure, tourism, and heritage potential of the pathways along Ireland’s canals and rivers. Towpaths on the banks of our canals and rivers were built so that horses could tow boats and barges laden with goods and passengers. They are no longer needed for transportation but have many other potential uses for outdoor recreation. With the restoration of the Royal Canal is almost complete, increasing usage along the Grand Canal and Barrow and the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal in the pipeline, the timing is perfect for new ideas for existing and future navigations in Ireland.
Speakers at the seminar include Eileen McKeever who will talk about the regeneration of the Thames navigation, Glenn Millar from British Waterways who will talk about the economic values of towpath activities, Éanna Rowe from Waterways Ireland will talk about current and future activities on towpaths in Ireland, and Steven Patterson who will talk about the cycling and walking towpaths of the Lagan and Newry canals. Other topics include the potential for horse riding on towpaths, managing towpaths as walking routes and access for people with disabilities.
Everyone is welcome to attend but as space is limited, early booking is advised. The cost of the seminar is €30 which includes lunch. It starts at 09:45hrs and finishes at 16:00hrs. There will be a short excursion to the towpath in Tullamore afterwards.
Promotional Publications
Seminar flyer [PDF 2.6MB]
Seminar Programme and Application Form [PDF 44K]
Presentations
Eileen McKeever, UK Environment Agency
“Overall regeneration of the Thames navigation, and impacts of land-based activities��? [PDF19.3MB]
Glenn Millar, British Waterways
“Economic values of towpath activities��? [PDF1 MB]
Eanna Rowe, Waterways Ireland
“Current and future activities on the towpaths in Ireland��? [PDF 9.8M]
Tanya Comber, Irish Heart Foundation
“Healthy Walking – Slí na Sláinte��? [PDF 750K]
Pat Somerville, British Horse Society
“The potential for horse riding on tow paths��? [PDF 8.6MB]
Phil Chambers, CEM Ltd.
“Waterways Heritage for all��? [PDF 2.8MB]
Edward Moss, British Waterways
“Managing towpaths or walking routes – antisocial behaviour��? [PDF 2.1MB]
Programme
9.45 am
Introduction and welcome
Caro-lynne Ferris, Chair of Inland Waterways Committee,
Heritage Council
Session One
Chair: Caro-lynne Ferris, Chair of Inland Waterways Committee, Heritage Council
10.00 a.m. - 10.25 a.m.
Eileen McKeever, UK Environment Agency
“Overall regeneration of the Thames navigation, and impacts of land-based activities��?
10.25 a.m. - 10.50 a.m.
Glenn Millar, British Waterways
“Economic values of towpath activities��?
10.50 a.m. -11.20 a.m.
Éanna Rowe, Waterways Ireland
“Current and future activities on the towpaths in Ireland��?
11.20 a.m. - 11.40 a.m.
Coffee break
Session Two
Chair: Brian Cassells, Inland Waterways Committee, Heritage Council
11.40 a.m.- 12.05 p.m.
Tanya Comber, Irish Heart Foundation
“Healthy Walking – Slí na Sláinte��?
12.05 p.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Steven Patterson, SUSTRANS
“Cycling and walking on the towpaths of the Lagan and Newry canals dual use.��?
12.30 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Pat Somerville, Access Officer in Scotland for British Horse Society
“The potential for horse riding on tow paths��?
1.00 p.m. - 2.15 p.m.
Lunch
Session Three
Colin Becker, Inland Waterways Committee, Heritage Council
2.15 p.m. - 2.40 p.m.
Phil Chambers CEM Ltd (Heritage & Greenspace Consultants-UK)
“Waterways Heritage for all��?
2.40 p.m. - 3.10 p.m.
Edward Moss British Waterways
“Managing towpaths or walking routes – antisocial behaviour��?
3.15 p.m.
Discussion
3.45 p.m.
Field trip to Towpath in Tullamore
There will be a charge of €30. As space is limited, please reserve in advance.
If you are interested please contact Shirley Kelly at 056 7770777 or shirley@heritagecouncil.com