Training Project in Ireland Completes

COAT has been running an innovative new type of Training Scheme in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, County Kerry in Ireland over the winter.  The initiative has been carried out on behalf of South Kerry Development Company and has focused on training a mixture of local businesses, including hill farmer/landowners, a local mountain guide and unemployed people.

COAT has brought in specialist trainers from the contract sector in Scotland, including Matt McConway (Owner, Upland Access Ltd) and Alex Grant (Machine Contractor) to deliver a range of upland and machine path training to the group.  The scheme has been very well received in Ireland, with a high standard of work achieved and a unique approach in training some of the people who own the land to carry out path repair work.  There is a large body of work in development for the Reeks, and capacity building locally will be vital in finding a sustainable solution to path erosion in the mountains.

The team will continue to work on contract to South Kerry Development Company, and will likely be looking for ‘refresher’ training block from Scotland as they approach the increasingly challenging programme of works – in particular on the ‘Devil’s Ladder’

Dougie Baird (COAT CEO) discussing work on the Hags Glen with Trisha Dean (SKDC) and some of the participants