County Kildare is marketed by Fáilte Ireland as “The Thoroughbred County”, a nod to its equine heritage. Indeed, Fáilte Ireland, Kildare and Tipperary County Councils have launched a five-year Thoroughbred Country Destination Experience Development Plan to encourage tourism in Kildare and Tipperary by developing new and improved visitor experiences across both counties. Fáilte Ireland hopes to build on Ireland’s global reputation as a leader in the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses and attract domestic and international visitors by establishing a new and unique thoroughbred experience for the tourist. It is hoped that accommodation linking in with the thoroughbred experience and activities ancillary to same will become available. Tír na Móna feels that the provision of bridle paths would be such an ancillary activity and would assist in developing tourism in the county.
In spite of Kildare's equine heritage, there appears to be no public bridle paths available in the county. Visitors coming to the county might reasonably expect to find a selection of such facilities but would be disappointed to note the lack of same.
The largest State-owned amenity in the county is Donadea Forest Park and it would appear to make sense if a bridle path were to be developed there, in furtherance of the Thoroughbred Country Destination Experience Development Plan.
For this reason, Tír na Móna would like to see the creation of a bridle path in Donadea Forest Park as an aim of the forthcoming County Development Plan.
Provision of public bridle paths
To provide additional visitor experiences and, in so doing, increase visitor numbers to Kildare