In support of an active lifestyle in the community through cycling and walking Connacht Rugby recently teamed up with local med-tech Company Aerogen and the Connemara Greenway Alliance project.
The vision for Connacht Rugby Grassroots to Green Shirts, aims to inspire the community through rugby success. Similarly, the Connemara Greenway Alliance seeks to inspire the local communities, businesses and schools to get active and in turn rejuvenate local communities and help create sustainable jobs.
At a recent photo-call attended by Greenway supporters from Aerogen along with Connacht Rugby players and staff, Partnerships Manager at Connacht Rugby Gavin Duffy said that at Connacht Rugby, they aim to inspire people throughout the province to get active and be involved in physical exercise and outdoor activity.
“The Connemara Greenway is a project that can support this aim, so we are delighted to support the Connemara Greenway who want to deliver this important amenity for the entire community,” he said.
John Power, Aerogen CEO, and Connemara Greenway Alliance member said they are very pleased to add Connacht Rugby to the long list of associations, businesses, landowners and individuals who are advocating for the completion of the Connemara Greenway.
“Considerable stretches of the greenway have already been completed and are now happily being utilised daily by locals and tourists alike.
“With the government allocating a further €2.6m of funding earlier this year for 21k of the greenway between Clifden and Recess we at Connemara Greenway Alliance are fully behind the efforts of Galway County Council to secure the remaining funding to complete all the way through to Galway City.”
“Galway European Capital of Culture 2020 will soon be upon us and what better way could there be than for our government to create a lasting legacy for the people of this region by committing the final funding required to link our wonderful city of Galway with the awe-inspiring expanse of Connemara,” he said.
The Greenway will run broadly along the route of the old Galway to Clifden railway line which closed in 1935. Starting in the city and continuing through NUIG along the Corrib River and taking in Moycullen, Oughterard, Maam Cross, Recess and Clifden. When completed, at 76k, it will become the longest greenway for off-road walking and cycling in Ireland.
The Connemara Greenway Alliance believes that project will create safe and healthy travel for locals and visitors alike and would add €18 million to the local economy every year, supporting up to 450 jobs in small rural towns and villages along the route.
