Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has appointed Éamon Ó Cuív as chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council).
Comhairle na Tuaithe played a lead role in the development and implementation of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national outdoor recreation strategy 2023-2027, and continues to play a vital role in the oversight and implementation of the strategy.
Comhairle na Tuaithe’s primary role is to advise the Minister on the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland. Éamon Ó Cuív was instrumental in establishing the advisory body in 2004 when he was the Minister for Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs. Éamon was TD for the Galway West constituency from 1992 to 2024 and held a number of Ministerial posts.
Comhairle na Tuaithe meets four times a year and is made up of stakeholder representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside.
Mountaineering Ireland has been an active member of Comhairle na Tuaithe since its establishment, ensuring that hillwalking, climbing, and the need for continued access, responsible recreation and care for the upland environment, are all part of the discourse at Comhairle. Mountaineering Ireland is represented on Comhairle by our Access & Environment Manager, Helen Lawless.
Announcing the appointment, Minister Calleary said:
“I know that Éamon has a keen interest in all aspects of outdoor recreation and continues to be a strong supporter of rural communities and the sustainable use of the countryside. His experience and expertise will be a huge asset to Comhairle na Tuaithe.”
Accepting the role, Éamon Ó Cuív said:
“I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to be the Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe. All the key stakeholders in outdoor recreation are represented on Comhairle and I am looking forward to continuing the good work of the previous chairperson Liam Twomey, by working with them all to support the continued delivery of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 to 2027.”
Responding to the appointment, Mountaineering Ireland CEO, Liam Feeley said:
Mountaineering Ireland is delighted to welcome Éamon Ó Cuív back to Comhairle na Tuaithe, Éamon’s acceptance of the role of Chair shows his continued interest in this area. We look forward to working with Éamon and the other members of Comhairle to implement Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, and beyond that to meeting the future needs in Ireland’s flourishing outdoor recreation sector.”
Further details on the membership and work of Comhairle na Tuaithe can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/organisation-information/comhairle-na-tuaithe/