The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme has been crucial to the development of the recreation facilities enjoyed by growing numbers of locals and tourists in rural areas in recent years, that is according to Fine Gael councillor Andrew Reddington.
Cllr Reddington said the facilities are now more important than ever in light of the Covid–19 emergency.
He said; "The Covid-19 situation has given people a renewed appreciation of the benefit of the outdoors to their wellbeing. More than ever, they value the outdoor recreation infrastructure in their local areas. We know that more people have been taking part in outdoor recreational activities since the covid-19 restrictions became a part of our daily lives.
"This week I met with officials from Galway County Council and we investigated an opportunity for the Headford area. Headford is unique as we have one of the oldest Franciscan Friaries in Europe in that of Ross Errilly which lies on the banks of the Black River, a natural border which divides the modern counties of Galway and Mayo before it enters Lough Corrib. [It is] one of the most impressive buildings in Ireland, but in terms of tourism for our area it is under utilised and a huge opportunity for us.
"The proposal is to open an old road which is part of Sandybanks Lane adjacent to Liam Donoghues Garage in Headford which leads out onto the Cong Road in Headford. This road was once a road which was actively used by people in Headford many years ago but part of it is now closed in.
"We than propose a pedestrian bridge from the Cong road to farmland adjoining the abbey which will then in turn continue the walkway onto Ross Errily and back in to Headford via the Claran Road. This cannot be done without local farmers permission but I am confident that they will see the benefit of the project as a walkway.
"This may be seen as an optimistic project but we have a team ready to organise and prepare the application. The landowners and residents in the area are keen to see the abbey used to benefit the community and I firmly believe that this walkway would be as important for Headford as the greenway is to Westport and this Government funding fits the bill. We have the opportunity to create a 5km walkway which will pass through the abbey and back into Headford it will be good for business and indeed put Headford on the map.
"I would like to thank Paul Connelly who seen the bigger picture when we investigated it this week. I was delighted that the motion that I put forward at this week's municipal area was passed and we can now move on and prepare the application for October’s deadline."
