Council commits to working on Portlick area enhancements
The Tubberclair Action Group came in for some very warm words of encouragement at the October meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District during a discussion on the development of the Portlick amenity area.
Cllr John Dolan raised the issue by bringing a motion to the meeting calling for a plan to be produced for the future enhancement and development of Portlick as an amenity.
He told the meeting that a “very passionate” group of local people had come together and were anxious to get involved in enhancing Portlick. “These people are doing work out there themselves and it would be very important that we support them and give them as much help as we can as they are only getting started.”
The Fine Gael Cllr described Portlick as “an unspoilt amenity” and added that it is already “well managed.” He wanted to know what plan the council had in place to continue to develop and enhance the amenity, and said he would like to see “more progress being made” at the tourist facility.
“Portlick is a beautiful amenity,” said Cllr Frankie Keena, “and the people out there are so passionate and engaged with the facility and we should be supporting them all the way.”
District Manager, Willie Ryan, observed that it is “very unusual” to have such a committed group of people as the Tubberclair Action Group, whom he had already met with, and he pledged that the council would work towards formalising the group and working closely with them to enhance Portlick. “There is a commitment from our side to work with them.” he assured members.
“This is a very positive story,” said Cllr Dolan, “as it's not every day you get such a passionate group of people who take great pride in their area and want to work towards improving it, and that's what this group are all about.”
In its written response to Cllr Dolan's motion, the council executive said the Portlick Amenity and Biodiversity Masterplan had been developed and published last year, and proposed a suite of both ecological and amenity enhancement actions. “This plan formed the basis of successful applications for Outdoor Recreation Grants in 2023 and will form the basis of any further enhancement proposals planned in the next few years,” the response said.
Cllr Frankie Keena received a detailed breakdown of the two projects in Portlick being funded from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2023 when he tabled a question on the issue at the same meeting.
He was told that €35k was allocated for the enhancement of walking trails and the bridleway in Portlick which will allow for the segregation of the walking routes and the bridleway at the site. These works are due for completion by the end of the year.
A further €35k was allocated to wayfinding in Portlick Woodlands, the design for which is currently being finalised. The project will provide essential signage for orientation and interpretation at Portlick amenity woodlands and give access to further information on the importance of this site, according to the written response given by the council to Cllr Keena.