Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD visited the site to open St Declan's Way, a new 115km walking trail at Mount Melleray Abbey.
St Declan's Way has long been part of the heritage and folklore of West Waterford and South Tipperary. The trail recalls journeys made by Declan in the fifth century from his monastery in Ardmore northwards to Cashel, the seat of the Kings of Munster. Declan is credited with bringing Christianity to his Déise people who ruled this part of Ireland in his lifetime.
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Renewed interest in pilgrim walking in recent years spurred local communities to come together to make this ancient path accessible as a modern walking trail. Old laneways were cleared, new signs replaced old ones and all trail infrastructure is now in place. St Declan's Way got the green light from Sport Ireland last June and is now on the National Trails Register.
The Department of Rural and Community Development provided support under the Rural Recreation Fund along with a private donation from the Tomar Trust to bring the project to fruition.
The cooperation and support of more than 40 landowners along the trail was vital. Local Development Agencies Waterford LEADER Partnership and South Tipperary Development CLG and both Waterford City & County Council and Tipperary County Council backed the project at an early stage.
The key driver of the project was the St Declan's Way Management Committee, a voluntary group with representation from communities along the trail.
