Minister Catherine Martin announces the opening of Glencullen Adventure Park's 6 new world class mountain biking jump trails - Loam Neeson, Rock Stacker, Bee-line, Hard Shoulder, In Stitches, Rim Dinge'r! Open to public 4th September 2021

Minister Catherine Martin announces the opening of Glencullen Adventure Park‘s 6 new world class mountain biking jump trails – open to the public 4^th September 2021

Loam Neeson, Rock Stacker, Bee-Line, Hard Shoulder, In Stitches, Rim Dinge’r!

www.thegap.ie

Issue date 25^th August 2021

Pics from last night available: Paul@sherwood.ie - Call Aileen Eglington or email Paul.

Last night at Glencullen Adventure Park – The GAP – Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, TD, at a photocall, announced the launch of GAP’s 6 new world-class mountain biking trails, together with Cathaoirleach of DLR County Council,Cllr.Lettie McCarthy, and Eilish Harrington, CEO of Fingal Leader Partnership, who provided key funding for the project, which started in 2019, with over €250,000 investment to complete the trails, made by GAP.

Family owned - Glencullen Adventure Park – GAP, located in the Dublin Mountains, is now Ireland’s leading Mountain Biking Facility, with over 300 acres of trails- opened in late November. Now this news, following this huge investment by owners Matt and Georgina Davy, supported by Leader funding,will help to put both GAP and Ireland on the world mountain biking map, as professional riders have rated these new trails as world-class! The trails open 4^th September 2021.

Speaking at a photocall to launch the trails yesterday, Minister Catherine Martin said “I would like to express my sincere congratulations to Matt and Georgina, and all involved with Glencullen Adventure Park, on the launch of their new mountain biking trails. Glencullen Adventure Park is a fantastic asset to our community, and it offers a unique attraction for those visiting the area. It is wonderful to see them expanding after what has been a very difficult 18 months or so for them and all of those in the sports and tourism sectors. I wish them every good wish with this endeavour.”

Owner Matthew Davy said: “We are a young park, by world standards. Yet, by using the right trail builders, and with Leader co-funding, we are thrilled to realise this dream, the second stage of our infrastructure development here at GAP. Investment is key for outdoor tourism in Ireland, to put us on that world stage! And certainly we could not have done it so fast, especially with Covid restrictions, if it had not been for the support of Leader. Watch this space for more developments into 2022 and 2023! We’re not finished building yet! “

GAP opened up the 6 new trails to top Irish mountain bikers last week. Here’s what they had to say!

Speaking to world renowned enduro rider Dan Wolfe after his first few runs down Hard Shoulder the new triple black Jump line, he said : ‘It’s unreal, it’s actually quite strange riding something of this level in Ireland… we’ve never had something like this, but yeah.. it’s a world class jump trail!’

We got a hold of elite female racer Hannah Mullin after coming down the re-vamp of the black tech track Loam Neeson and Hannah said ‘It was wild... it was just so like techy.. there was a bit there I had to unclip and I didn’t get clipped back in until about half way down... it was just mad! Root, Root, Root, rock, rock, but it’s really fun at the same time’

World Class rider Gavin Carroll said – ‘It’s absolutely insane I’ve never ridden anything like it in Ireland, the standard of jumps is just insane the speed and the way they’re built so safely and your jumping 40 odd foot literally bumping up the progression in Irish mountain biking!’ High praise coming from Gav!

Caitriona Brady a.k.a Catmtbpilot said on the day: ‘Oh my God! It was amazing I absolutely loved it! It’s so well built loved it!…some of the table tops are really nice.... I was just rolling them this time but I’d imagine that even I should be capable I’ve doing them so I’m excited to get back up there and do it again!

These new world-class trails will allow a new level of expertise to be developed by young Irish riders.

Mountain biking in Ireland has now just become world class. The GAP's expansion to their trail network is set to elevate Ireland's position in the global mountain biking industry.

Over the last 4 years the GAP has become a breeding ground for talent. These new trails continue to push the bar instilling confidence in young Irish racers and is sure to up the progression for Ireland whilst racing abroad.

This not only encourages more young men and women to race but also lends Ireland a higher calibre of downhill rider to showcase in leading global racing events.

These trails also greatly enhance GAP's offering and will attract riders from overseas tapping into a very current and active adventure tourism marketing trend:

Covid-19 has proved to be a boon for the mountain bike industry as bike sales have rose up to five times during pandemic. Adventure tourism is the fastest-growing tourism industry worldwide, and several countries are focusing on new mountain bike strategies aiming for an economic boost. The Global mountain biking industry is valued at around 8.8 billion. (source: market research future/google).

Further information from Sinead Murphy, Operations Manager, The GAP

M: 085 162 7364/E: sinead@thegap.ie

Great action Pics and Videos available for use as well as pics from last’s night launch 25^th August 2021

www.thegap.ie

Press are welcome to come and experience The GAP at any time – please call Aileen Eglington on 087 2505007

Issued on behalf of The GAP by Aileen Eglington, AE Consulting

The Gap

Ballybrack Road

Glencullen

Dublin D18HX29

Tel: 00353 1 2942782

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Aileen Eglington

AE Consulting

Ferndale

Enniskerry Rd.

Kilternan

Dublin 18

Ireland

Phone: 353 1 294 8080/292 1831

Mobile: 353 87 2505007