Cllr. McGloin welcomes €401,000 to develop the Narrow Gauge Walking Trail for Drumshanbo
€800,000 has been allocated to enhance Leitrim's great outdoors
The Outdoor Recreation Funding announcement of over €800,000 includes just over €400,000 to allow Leitrim County Council to develop a walkway around the town of Drumshanbo on the footprint of the old narrow-gauge railway from the Dowra Road out on to the Ballinamore Road.
Minister Heather Humphreys had already allocated €50,000 for a feasibility for the project in 2022 allowing Leitrim Co Council to provide a detailed application to the department late last year.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Enda McGloin, who is also Chairperson of Drumshanbo Community Council, warmly welcomed the funding announcement.
“This announcement is great news for the town as we already have an excellent walking route in and around the town including the riverside walk along the Ballinamore Road and of course the Blueway from the Lough Allen Hotel as far as Leitrim Village.
“I continue to be amazed by how many people both visitors and locals alike use these walking facilities and I am sure this new walkway will only enhance our tourism offering for people who visit our community.
“This new walk will also provide a new safe access for many children attending St Patrick’s NS avoiding crossing busy roads which is another positive for this project.
“In conclusion, I wish to thank Padraic McShera and his team at capital projects at Leitrim County Council and locally Fergal McPartland who did a huge amount of work to prepare the project on the ground together with local landowners who are facilitating the route of the walkway,” concluded Cllr McGloin.