A man-made beach along Lough Major has been officially opened in Ballybay by the Minister for Rural Development, Heather Humphreys. The innovative idea was the brainchild of the local town team in conjunction with the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District.
Locals have been flocking to the new amenity over the last week as the sun beamed down on the whole of county Monaghan. Cllr Sean Gilliland told Northern Sound that while it was a "daunting" move for everyone involved, it was one that got the backing of the entire community.
He added that the beach, along with a new boat house, and the Ballybay Town Park means the area can now boast state of the art recreational facilities. "This is brilliant for the community and there is a good community in Ballybay; there's good town spirit there and in the wider hinterlands of Kilmartin, Doohamlet, Lough Egish, Tullycorbet and Latton.
"There is a buy in from everyone there and that is really good to see. The boathouse is there and we also have new changing facilities as well. And then we have the connectivity on to the town park.
"You can come in at the mart entrance and walk through the park and onto the beach or you can out onto the Castleblayney Road and come in the main entrance. It's newly tarred, kerbed and with footpaths, and it really is absolutely lovely.
