Partnerships
In 2002, CAAN was commissioned by EHS, the Sports Council and NITB to review the Ulster Way. A report included recommendations that:
- The concept of the Ulster Way should be retained and the route reappraised;
- The strategic responsibility for the Ulster Way should lie with one coordinating body – EHS was identified as most appropriate with Councils and other bodies playing their respective roles;
In April 2003, the Environment Minister Angela Smith announced that EHS would fulfil a coordinating role with regard to the future of the Ulster Way. She stressed the importance of district councils playing a full part in improving and maintaining sections of the rout
Many partners worked together from 2004-2009 to bring the new route and website to fruition and many thanks goes to each and every one:
- All of the private and public landowners across which the Ulster Way route traverses, including DARD Forest Service and the National Trust.
- The Ulster Way Advisory Committee deserves special thanks for their input and voluntary attendance at meetings. The Committee was established to make recommendations on the future route and its management.
- Allan Kilgore (Chair nominated by Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside)
- Terry Eakin (Northern Ireland Environment Agency)
- Paddy McAteer (Ulster Society for the Protection of the Countryside)
- Reg Magowan (Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs)
- Harry Goodman (NI Sports Forum)
- Margaret Tees (Mountaineering Council of Ireland)
- Tom Jennings (retired) (Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs)
- Stuart Morwood (DARD Forest Service)
- John Baird/Jill Montgomery (National Trust)
- Clare Wright (Countryside Access and Activities Network)
- Mike McClure (Sport NI)
- Ross Millar (Chief Leisure Officers Association)
- Northern Ireland Tourist Board
- Fourteen district councils and DARD Forest Service have been especially active in identifying and signposting the route through their areas and a large number of other organizations have assisted with this work.
- Belfast City Council
- Cavan County Council
- Coiltte
- Coleraine Borough Council
- Craigavon Borough Council
- DARD Forest Service
- Down District Council
- Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council
- Fermanagh District Council
- Lagan Valley Regional Park
- Larne Borough Council
- Limavady Borough Council
- Lisburn City Council
- Louth County Council
- Monaghan County Council
- Mourne Heritage Trust
- Moyle District Council
- Newry & Mourne District Council
- Newry Canal Partnership
- North Down Borough Council
- Omagh District Council
- Regeneration of South Armagh
- Strabane District Council
- The Blackwater Partnership
- The National Trust
- The Countryside Access & Activities Network (CAAN) staff and volunteers who provided much assistance, particularly with the route selection, signage and the design of this website.
- Advice on route selection, transport, accommodation and legal issues was provided by government departments and other bodies.
- DRD Roads Service
- DCAL Inland Waterways
- NIEA staff
- NITB
- OSNI
- Sport NI
- Translink
- Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs
Special mention must go to Terry Eakin in Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly EHS) who tirelessly worked from 2003-2009 to co-ordinate bringing the revised route to fruition.
Into the future, following the launch of the revised route and website in September 2009, NIEA, with the support of CAAN and the Ulster Way Advisory Committee, will continue to maintain an overview of the Ulster Way. The majority of councils have committed to maintain the route and signage in their areas.
The Ulster Way will be ever changing and improving. It is hoped that District Councils will continue to work with other partners to extend the length of the Ulster Way that is off-road.
To ensure ongoing quality of the Quality Sections of the Ulster Way there is an annual audit programme in place. CAAN co-ordinates a team of Volunter Rangers who carry out these audits. Click here for more information.
