Bord na Móna discussions key to progressing Pilgrim Greenway: Dolan
An exploratory conversation with Bord na Móna to progress a Pilgrim Greenway route from Athlone to Clonmacnoise would be of benefit to Athlone and the wider Midlands region.
This was the view of Cllr John Dolan at last week's meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council.
He said he had viewed a recent Bord na Móna proposal for a shared seven-kilometre cycle and walkway track in the townlands of Derries, Carrickobrien, Bunnahinly, Clonbonny, Corralena, Kilgarvan Glebe, Ballinahownwood and Ballinahown, and through parts of the existing Bunahinly and Kilgarvan bogs.
Cllr Dolan argued that the proposed Pilgrim Greenway, being examined by the council, could link in with the Bord na Móna plan.
"I am of the firm belief that we, as a Municipal District, should tie in with this. This will be a credible greenway with vast potential to benefit our local communities.
"It is essential that we collaborate to harness such potential for our region. There is a particular stretch of the greenway within our control and if we can deliver in this regard then the potential for an increased number of tourists visiting Athlone and the surrounding region will be vast," Cllr Dolan said.
Cllr Paul Hogan noted that the benefits to Athlone from the development of the Pilgrim Greenway would be "numerous".
"As a Municipal District we have to support this development. Let us assess the potential development from a design and cost factor and we can then address what additional funding may be required," Cllr Hogan said.
Cllr Vinny McCormack encouraged the meeting with Bord na Móna "to get a feel for their views on the issue".
Concluding, Cllr Dolan noted that all assistance must be given towards the project from the Municipal District.
"The development of the Pilgrim Greenway will benefit the entire region and we must explore all potential link routes going forward," Cllr Dolan said.
In response, the council executive stated that Bord Na Móna had been approved finance through EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for the provision of its greenway.
"It is the intention of the council to explore possible funding sources for the feasibility and design of linkages from the Pilgrim Greenway to Athlone and Ballinahown and thereafter, subject to funding, seek to progress the delivery of these linkages in parallel with the construction of the greenway on Bord-Na-Mona lands," the council spokesperson said.
The council is already working in conjunction with Offaly County Council to create a Pilgrim Greenway route between Athlone and the world-renowned monastic heritage site at Clonmacnoise.
Last year, the Athlone Moate Municipal District heard that consultants appointed by Offaly County Council had been carrying out works on the proposed route in conjunction with the transportation department of the Westmeath local authority with a view to progressing the works as part of the NTA Cycle Connects scheme.
A local voluntary group 'Athlone Clonmacnoise Shannonbridge Pilgrim Route Greenway' has been seeking to advance the creation of an off-road pilgrim route for a number of years.