Funding awarded to develop plans for two new Athlone-area Greenways

The Government has today announced funding towards the development of 26 new Greenway projects, including a 'Lough Ree Greenway' and another that would link Athlone with Shannonbridge in Offaly.

The two local initiatives are at an early stage of development and they were awarded funding today for feasibility work that would allow the plans to progress further.

Roscommon County Council was given €100,000 in funding towards the 'Lough Ree Greenway', which would be a 68-kilometre development from Tarmonbarry to Athlone.

The €100,000 will be put towards a "concept and feasibility study, project execution plan, project appraisal plan and project brief" for the new Greenway.

Offaly County Council, meanwhile, received €95,000 towards the 'Shannon Monastic Greenway' which would be 28 kilometres in length and connect Shannonbridge to Athlone.

As indicated by the use of 'Monastic' in the Greenway's name, this project would facilitate Greenway access from Athlone to the Clonmacnoise heritage site, one of the most popular visitor attractions in the region.

The money granted to Offaly County Council will fund "feasibility, consultation, route selection, design and environmental screenings" for the Greenway.

Local TD Denis Naughten welcomed the funding allocations, saying they had "huge potential" to promote tourism and create long term sustainable job across the region.

"The funding allocated today comes from the Carbon Tax fund and this was one of the provisions that I argued for as part of Budget 2020," said Deputy Naughten.

"I welcome the fact that local communities across the Midland counties will benefit from this announcement.

"This funding is part of an overall strategy to utilise our bogs, public lands and public access to develop more walking and cycling routes across our region, which will benefit local families as well as visitors."

The funding towards the two local projects was announced this morning by Minister Eamon Ryan. In total, €4.5m in funding was granted to 26 Greenway projects across the country.