Launch of new Recreation Strategy for Leitrim

Leitrim Development Company and The Leitrim Recreation Forum were delighted to welcome Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D, to Drumshanbo on Saturday, March 4 to mark the launch of a new Recreation Strategy for Co Leitrim.

The Strategy completed as a LEADER funded project led by Leitrim Development Company on behalf of the Recreation Forum and its many stakeholders sets out a series of key actions that will ensure sustainable development of Leitrim’s outdoor recreational infrastructure and facilities for the coming decade.

A detailed consultation process carried out by the Deirdre Lewis of SLR Consultants and Alan Hill Tourism Development Ltd resulted in a focus on six signature projects that will provide the focus for Leitrim Recreation Forum and its partners to be taken to completion in the coming decade.

Among these large-scale projects is the development of the Sligo-Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) corridor, the Greenway development along the Cavan-Leitrim Railway (CLR) corridor, the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge – Lough Allen Blueway, the Shannon Erne Blueway, the Glenfarne Forest Park and Lough Rinn Rowing Hub.

The Strategy goes on to identify 22 actions for the Forum to develop in the years ahead, including Development/Expansion of the Walking Trail Network, Increasing Participation in Outdoor Recreation, Adding Value for Enterprises, Relationship Management for Access, Encourage Responsible Behaviour in our Outdoors and to host a Recreation Conference to promote all aspects of Leitrim’s Recreational development.

Speaking at the event, Minister Humphreys stated that Leitrim is now recognised as a leader in Recreational Development in Ireland, being the first County to publish a new county recreation strategy since the launch of a National Outdoor Recreation Strategy in November 2022. The Minister congratulated the Leitrim Recreation Forum and its stakeholders including Leitrim County Council, Waterways Ireland, Failte Ireland, Coillte, many community groups, landowners and the recreation/tourism businesses for taking a co-operative approach to recreational development.

Speaking at the event, Ita Reynolds Flynn, Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council stated that the launch of this strategy is most welcome and will serve as a great asset to the county. She thanked Minister Humphreys T.D. and all the collaborating agents and communities involved in the launch.

Mike Feeney, Chairperson for the Forum expressed gratitude to the members for their commitment to recreational development in Leitrim over the past decade, and looks forward to future cooperation from all stakeholders as we work to reach Leitrim’s Recreational potential in the next decade.

Pictured above are: Chris Gonley, CEO Leitrim Development Company, Frank Feighan TD, Bryan Fennell, Rural Recreation Officer, Sinead McDermott Leitrim Tourism, Joseph Gilhooly, Deputy Chief Executive LCC, Minister Heather Humphreys, Department of Rural and Community Development, Inga Bock, Donegal Rural Recreation Officer, Brian Smyth, Leitrim Development Company with Luchia Smyth on Penny (the pony) and Blaithin Feely with the bicycle
Picture: Brian Duignan