What is the Walkers Association of Ireland?

Author: Finola McDonald

 The Walkers Association of Ireland - WAI - is a new, inclusive forum for hill
walkers and ramblers all over Ireland .

Who set it up?

One of the largest walking clubs in Ireland, the Irish Ramblers Club, consulted
with walking clubs and individual hill walkers all over the Republic of Ireland.
Out of this came the consensus that a walkers’ association was needed and a
steering group composed of club members and individuals took on the task of
setting up the WAI. Currently on the steering group are John Fitzgerald (no
club, contributes to MountainViews), Niall Gantly (Glenwalk), Finola McDonald
(Ramblers), Ted McGrath (Wayfarers) and Simon Stewart (Ramblers and Wayfarers).

Why was it set up?

The Walkers Association of Ireland was set up

• to give a sense of identity and purpose to hill walking and rambling in its
  own right as a national sport in Ireland
• to provide information on matters relevant to walkers, for example
  insurance, holidays, challenge walks, access
• to coordinate a walkers’ view on topics of special interest, such as
  access, the environment and mapping
• to provide a forum for specialist interests such as GPS, photography, nature,
  etc
• to establish a link to walkers’ forums abroad
• to seek discounts for walkers in sporting shops, transport bodies,
  restaurants, etc.

How does the WAI work?

The WAI communicates through this public website. The web site is managed by an
editorial board – currently the WAI steering group.

On the WAI website are interest group sub-sites. These interest groups are
formed by walkers with an enthusiasm for a particular walking-related activity.
Everyone is welcome to participate. These groups share information and arrange
activities, meets, training sessions, if appropriate. Each group is monitored by
an interest group “owner”. The owner manages this interest group’s sub-site,
selects and adds information and keeps an eye on discussions.

Current interest groups taking shape are

GPS - (first GPS workshop 21st November 2007)

Photography

Holidays

Training

Challenge walks and walking festivals

Website

The WAI also intends to collate and publish news of general interest to
walkers

and specific information on subjects important to walkers, such as,

• information on public bodies such as national parks

• information on insurance cover and cost for walkers

• information on access

• environmental information

The WAI enjoys a warm relationship with the UFRC (Ulster Federation of
Rambling Clubs) www.ufrc-online.co.uk. We have a common interest in providing a
forum for walkers and we hope to provide mutual benefits in many areas in the
future.