Feasibility and scoping assessment Connemara National Park

The Role

To:

• Quantify the carrying capacity of Connemara National Park in relation to existing infrastructure e.g. visitor centre, trails, car parking, toilets, tearooms, etc.
• Investigate how the provision of additional infrastructure, in particular additional trails and the possible provision of an alternate entrance and car parking at Kylemore/Mweelin and links to Kylemore Abbey, will impact on visitor experience, visitor management and the carrying capacity of the National Park
• Consult with Kylemore Abbey Estate to ascertain their views in developing walking trail links, cycle links and shuttle bus service links between Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey
• Investigate the feasibility of developing a new trail along the Old Galway Road between Letterfrack and Kylemore Farm
• Investigate the feasibility of developing a new entrance and parking area, as well as a new trail to the west of Kylemore Farm and linked to the old Lime Kiln
• Consider the feasibility of developing the new entrance, car park and trail head within Coillte property at Kylemore, which is adjacent to Connemara National Park and is not constrained by nature conservation designations
• Undertake an ecological constraints study for the proposal, as this will be a key consideration to the overall feasibility of such a project
• Undertake a traffic impact assessment
• Liaise with Galway County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding a possible pedestrian/cyclist crossing point on the N59
• Investigate the feasibility of offering a shuttle bus service between the Connemara National Park Visitor Centre and Kylemore Abbey