Official opening of addition to North Longford Rebel Trail as Granard Greenway unveiled

Official opening of addition to North Longford Rebel Trail as Granard Greenway unveiled
Greenway links sports grounds with schools and the Abbeylara Road 

Press Release
20 June 2023

Longford County Council is delighted to announce that the official opening of the Granard Greenway as part of the North Longford Rebel Trail will take place on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 at 3pm.

The opening will be officially performed by Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern.

The new greenway involves a trail of approximately 2km in length, connecting two key points of the North Longford Rebel Trail and upgrading the entire visitor experience.

The project, which was completed during 2023, joins Higginstown Sports Grounds with the Abbeylara road, accommodating both pedestrians and cyclists. 

Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2021 and Longford County Council, the development of the trail cost approximately €300,000. The 2023 ORIS scheme is now currently open to applications and local groups and communities are encouraged to consider applying.

This latest addition offers adults and children more opportunities to walk or cycle into school or work in Granard and creates an easy pathway to access local recreational amenities. The trail will also be of huge benefit to the local primary and secondary schools, allowing children walk safely from school to the sports grounds at Higginstown for sporting events.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Turlough McGovern paid tribute to forward thinking landowners who facilitated the development. “I’m delighted to be opening this amenity here in my hometown of Granard. And on behalf of Longford County Council, I really wish to acknowledge the support of the landowners in facilitating access to build this trail for the local community, without their support none of this would be possible.”

The Granard Greenway will feed into and support, the continued development of the North Longford Rebel Trail, connecting a number of tourism amenities across the north of the county. The trail illustrates the role North Longford played in insurrections and rebellions from the Normans up to the War of Independence.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon added, “This is a wonderful amenity for North Longford that demonstrates how Longford County Council is committed to the development of our tourism infrastructure. We know it makes Longford a better place to visit, and also a better place for all of us to live, work and play.”

The opening will take place at 3pm at St Mary’s GAA Grounds, Higginstown Sports Complex, Granard, N39 FY98. The event will be preceded at 2.30pm by a special blessing of the Derrycassin

Woods Walk by Fr Simon Cadam of St Mary’s Church, Granard. The blessing will take place on the walkway and parking is available at the St Columba’s GAA grounds which adjoins the entrance to Derrycassin, Eircode N39 FW67. 

All are welcome to attend the launch of these valuable new recreational facilities.

For further information, check out Longfordcoco.ie or follow Longford County Council on social media.