Leitrim is not making use of fantastic scenic drive across Sliabh an Iarainn

Leitrim is not promoting or making use of a scenic drive across Sliabh an Iarainn that “equals anything in Kerry”, Ballinamore area councillors told the local authority.

A proposal was made by Cllr Caillian Ellis at the Ballinamore Municipal District meeting that signage be erected at the Aughnasheelin Road in Ballinamore indicating the scenic mountain drive across Sliabh an Iarainn to Ballinaglera.

He was told, however, there are currently 16 directional signs at that junction. The Active Travel team in the Council are examining the junction for a possible upgrade on the Aughnasheelin side (similar to what was done on the supermarket side) and they will carry out a full review of signage when that is completed.

There already 16 directional signs at the Aughnasheelin junction in Ballinamore.

Cllr Ellis said he was quite disappointed with the reply and said it is a tourism route and a very scenic drive that should be promoted more by the Council and include a parking area and seating.

“This is a fantastic drive and we’re not making any use of it to get it up and running. We’re not promoting ourselves at all,” he said.

Cllr Ellis proposed the Council employ someone in the county to do a survey and promote such places.

Cllr Paddy O’Rourke supported the motion and said from Ballinamore across the mountain to Ballinaglera “equals anything in Kerry” and would be promoted heavily there.

“We should be doing everything in our power to market it and show people where it is,” he said.

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All the other area councillors supported the motion with Cllr Brendan Barry saying it is a place he would bring visitors to. “It would be good to have it signposted to make it more user friendly,” he remarked.

Cllr Gerry Dolan agreed while Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn said unless people know about it they can’t go and see it. “It really is a lovely place and is not utilised enough,” she said.

Darragh O’Boyle, District Engineer, said there are currently 16 signs at that junction and suggested the motion should go through the Active Travel and tourism departments to see the best way forward, rather than just putting up another directional sign.

He said that junction is ear-marked for an upgrade this year (along with the junction at Church St in the town and the Keadue road in Leitrim Village).

Cllr Enda McGloin suggested the motion be forward to Director of Services with responsibility for tourism, Joseph Gilhooly to get a more comprehensive reply for the next meeting. He said there are a number of drives in the county that could possibly get funding from some of the agencies such as Failte Ireland.

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Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, stated the local authority had sought and received funding a number of years ago for driving routes and walking routes and this product is ‘out there’ already. He said a lot of the work is done already with the routes walked and mapped and apps developed. He said they will look into it and come back to the members about it.

He suggested the notice of motion go before a full Council meeting where it might be the proper forum to discuss it. He said he would discuss it with Mr Gilhooly in the interim and bring back a reply to the February meeting.

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