For years the Drogheda-based Boyne Valley Walking group have dreamt of achieving National Trail status for the Boyne Valley Camino which they developed and which has been hugely popular.  Today we can report that their dream has come true.    

Pat Coffey, part of Boyne Valley Walking who helped devise the route, commented, “the area we live in is full of historical and natural beauty, but unless you have local knowledge, it is difficult to navigate a good, long-distance looped walk.    We therefore decided to develop the Boyne Valley Camino, secure funding for signage and go for National Trail accreditation to create a permanent way marked trail in our area.”  

Dusty Flanagan added that “this is the first long distance national trail in South Louth/East Meath and a great public amenity for locals and visitors to the area’.      

An application was made for registration with Sport Ireland, this was assigned to National Trails inspector John McGroary.   In September John joined Áine Walsh and Pat Coffey of Boyne Valley Walking to rigorously assess the trail.  

The inspection checked distance, quality of signage, detail in the trailhead boards, the online and print maps, road safety, litter, accessibility, quality of path and other key points were marked against a standard for inclusion in Sport Ireland’s National Trails Register.

There were a few tweaks required to meet the high standards required by Sport Ireland.    These have been undertaken to ultimately have the Boyne Valley Camino awarded a score of 99.3% with a length mapped of 25.5km.   The route can be broken down into two parts, both looped, for those wishing to complete smaller walking distances.

Terry Collins and David Gough, the speediest of the Boyne Valley Walking team, advised that there are still a few upgrades required on the Boyne Valley Camino in relation to road safety on the N51.   The team have provided examples of ‘Caution Walkers Ahead’ signs used throughout the country that would help mitigate this safety concern, the Engineering Department in Louth County Council are following up with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in this regard. 

 According to the Drogheda Tourist Office team, the Boyne Valley Camino map and trail is the most asked about topic on a day-to-day basis in the Tholsel.   

The maps and logos are designed by Caoimhe Mulroy.   The distinctive passport stamps were designed by Caoimhe Mulroy and Vivienne Byrne.    These localised, original stamps are highly praised and sought after as part of the Camino Passport.   The Boyne Valley Camino is part of the Celtic Camino, linked officially to the continuation from the city of A Coruňa in Spain.

Dusty,  Pat, Terry, Áine, Caoimhe and David are delighted to help put Drogheda on the country’s walking map on a permanent basis with this National Trail accreditation.  The Camino group would like to thank everyone for their support of the Boyne Valley Camino over the last five years.