LCC Welcomes ORIS Funding for Ballymahon and Newtownforbes

€400,000 funding injection for new walks and cycleways

Press Release

5 March 2021

Longford County Council is delighted to welcome the announcement of funding for two local projects under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

Minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed funding of €200,000 each for the Newtownforbes Bog Walk project and the first phase of a new walk/cycleway along the River Inny in Ballymahon linking the town with Newcastle Woods.

These local funding announcements are among 38 projects nationwide that have been allocated over €6.5 million under Measure 2 of the ORIS, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.

Led by Longford County Council’s Regeneration Team, the projects will both be significant additions to the recreational amenities available in Newtownforbes and Ballymahon. The walkway/cycleways will greatly enhance the quality of life for local families and individuals, offering a healthy off-road exercise option that is both safe and enjoyable. The new trails will also become significant tourism products in their own rights, adding to the selection already on offer in these beautiful, scenic areas.

It is hoped that work will get underway on this project in the coming months, once public health restrictions are eased and procurement procedures are completed.

The initial phase of the walkway/cycleway in Ballymahon relates to the 1.29km of pathway that will be developed along the River Inny. When the full 3km walkway is completed, it will ultimately reduce the number of pedestrians and cyclists forced to use roads by offering a safe path from the town centre along the River Inny to Newcastle Woods. Users will also have the option to continue to the Newcastle Greenway which links the forest with the Royal Canal Greenway.

The Newtownforbes Bog Walk involves the development of a 2.9km trail linking the village with the nearby countryside, through grassland, bog and forest. It will eventually be a looped 5km recreational walk, opening the countryside to the people of the area and encouraging them to become more familiar with the environment around them.

Terry Rooney of the Regeneration Team says “COVID-19 has highlighted the need for communities to be able to access high-quality recreational facilities in their local areas and Longford County Council is delighted to take the next step towards seeing these plans realised to benefit local people and visitors alike.”

ENDS

Interview requests or queries should be directed to Longford County Council Communications Officer Denise Canavan on mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or 043 33 43362.

Note to editors:

In 2019, 2.4 million overseas tourists to Ireland engaged in hiking or cross-country walking, spending an estimated €1.3 billion during their stay here. A further 361,000 tourists took part in cycling activities with a significant desire for week-long cycling routes.

The projects announced under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will contribute further to Ireland’s tourism offering as we emerge from COVID restrictions and will encourage visitors to extend their holidays in rural areas and explore the many attractions the regions have to offer.

Downloadable Press Release