New greenway opens in Offaly as strategic partnership with Bord na Móna announced

A PARTNERSHIP between a Government Department and Bord na Móna to develop a dedicated strategy for recreational amenities on the state body's lands has been announced.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys made the announcement when launching the country's newest canal greenway in Ballycommon recently.

“This a great day for the communities of Tullamore, Ballycommon and Kilbeggan as we formally unveil the country’s newest greenway,” stressed the Monaghan TD.

She added: “Since Covid-19, we have all developed a deep appreciation of outdoor amenities – they really have taken on a newfound importance in all our lives.

“I’m delighted that under my Department’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, we have invested over €313,000 towards this wonderful outdoor recreational amenity.”

She said she was also delighted to announce the start of a new strategic partnership between my Department of Rural and Community Development and Bord na Móna.

“This is all about working together to develop our bog lands and enhance the tourism potential of the midlands,” explained the Minister.

“I already have a strategic partnership in place with Coillte in relation to our forest parks. So now, we are joining up with Bord na Móna – and I really want to thank them for their role in this new partnership.”

The strategic partnership between the Minister’s Department and Bord na Móna, with an initial allocation of €50,000, is designed to support towns and villages in the Midlands.

Announcing the new initiative, Minister Humphreys said: “Through ‘Our Rural Future’ and the ‘Hidden Heartlands’ initiative, we are seeing more and more people choosing to visit our wonderful midlands counties – the likes of Offaly,  Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, East Clare, Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary and Galway.

“This initiative, in conjunction with Bord na Móna, is about capitalising on the huge tourism potential that is very much on show in the Midlands.

“My Department is already progressing an excellent strategy with Coillte in terms of developing our forest parks – places that are great locations for families and tourists alike to visit.

“And today we are taking the next step in relation to our boglands – turning them into ideal locations for recreational use.”
The Minister added: “This is all about working with Bord na Móna to develop and manage high-quality, enjoyable and safe access to our great outdoors.

“It’s about opening up these hidden gems so that more people can reap the benefits. And so, I am delighted to announce funding of €50,000 for the development of a Recreation Strategy for Bord Na Móna.

“This strategy will provide real focus and build on the already successful recreation facilities that Bord na Móna operate.
“This is another one of a wide range of initiatives we are undertaking to develop our outdoor amenities and which is central to the recently published  Embracing Ireland's Outdoors: National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.”

Ger Breen, Head of Land and Habitats, Bord na Móna said “Bord na Móna is delighted to have secured funding from the Department of Rural Community Development to develop an Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

“This funding represents a major milestone in realising the Bord na Móna vision of rehabilitated peatlands existing side by side with renewable energy assets and sensitively developed, biodiversity and natural spaces for public enjoyment.

“The development of recreational spaces within our estate will provide both health and wellbeing benefits for our local communities and support the growth of sustainable tourism within the Midlands, helping to regenerate the local economy.”

As part of the strategic partnership between the Department and Bord na Móna, the Minister is providing €50,000 funding towards the cost of developing an outdoor recreation strategy. The strategy will set the direction and focus for the development of recreational amenities on Bord na Móna lands. 

Cllr Robert McDermott, Cathaoirleach of Edenderry Municipal District, thanked Minister Humphreys and her Department for officially opening the project in Ballycommon which includes a 5.3 km Grand Canal Greenway.

The Greenway goes north westerly from Ballycommon along the disused Kilbeggan Branch of the Grand Canal to the County boundary with Westmeath County Council.

“The development includes the construction of a high quality shared cycle way and footway, through the upgrading of the existing disused towpaths,” said the Edenderry based councillor.

He continued: “Standing here today, we can already see the fruits of this investment allowing pedestrians and cyclists travel from Ballycommon to Kilbeggan with the completion of this safe greenway which is an invaluable recreational amenity for the local communities. It is something that has been in the pipeline for many years and it’s great to see it coming to fruition.”

Cllr McDermott said the greenway has given an increased amenity to local people and safer walking and cycling infrastructure, which will contribute to healthier lifestyles and the enjoyment of a unique landscape and heritage.

“Great credit must go to everyone involved, including the Council staff, the landowners for their cooperation, the Dept of Rural and Community Development for funding the project in partnership with Failte Ireland, and the contractor, Lakeland Civil Engineering. This, along with current and future greenway projects in the county will be hugely beneficial for locals and visitors alike.”