A local councillor says linking potential greenway projects in Co Monaghan could turn the county into a “strategic place for tourism”.
At today’s Ballybay-Clones MD meeting, councillors received updates on a proposed Ballybay to Castleblayney and Clones to Smithboro greenways.
Councillors were informed by Sean Fitzsimons of Clandillion Civil Consulting that the Ballybay to Castleblayney Greenway is currently in the first phase of concept and feasibility.
One route option being considered closely follows the old Ballybay railway line, while other options follow rivers, field boundaries and local roads.
While there are some cross section “pinch points” in the route, councillors were told that these are “less significant” than those in similar schemes.
Meanwhile, the Clones to Smithboro Greenway is at the option selection process, and Sean Fitzsimons said he was happy with the route options and will seek to follow the canal greenway where is it intact.
Councillor Sean Gilliland expressed hope that these greenways, along with the Ulster Canal Greenway, could be a “junction” that leads to the three tourism regions of Ireland’s Ancient East, the Hidden Heartlands, and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Councillor Gilliland says the “Ancient East” branding “doesn’t really apply” to the county but added that “it’s worth looking at connecting the three greenways in a junction that leads to the three tourism regions”.
The Fine Gael councillor added that this would make the county a “strategic place for tourism”, with Pat Treanor adding that this could make Monaghan “central” to these tourism areas, instead of being on the periphery.
