University students, farmers, environmental campaigners, city residents, cycling advocates, heritage groups, local authority officials and politicians are joining forces to develop an ambitious network of ‘Greenways’ that will link up castles on the east side of Galway city with historical mansions and castles in the north and east of the county.
According to Brendan Smith of the recently established Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest Park and Environs one of the participating groups, it is envisaged that this exciting community-based initiative under the working title of Slí na gCaisleán (‘The Way of the Castles’ ), supported by both councils in Galway city and county, could give a whole new dimension to local tourism.
“It will do this byproviding a wonderful network of scenic pedestrian and cycling trails that will commence at Terryland Castle, continue on through the Terryland Forest Park to Castlegar Castle with one route branching off towards Menlo Castle.
“An alternative route will wind its way through Carrowbrowne Bog towards Cloonacauneen Castle. There are plans to develop links to Claregalway Castle, with further routes over time going into the heartlands of north and east Galway county.
“An important step in making this ambitious city-county Greenway a reality will take place on this Saturday (May 12 ) when volunteers will gather together at 11.30am beside the Carrowbrowne graveyard before commencing the re-surfacing and cleaning of a lovely old bog road.
“This event is being coordinated with city councillor Frank Fahy who has secured the support of local land-owners and has led similar clean-ups in the area over the last year.
“Participants include NUIG business students operating under the ‘CKI Alive’ programme as well as conservationists and local residents. The students are particularly interested in developing the community and tourism aspects of the Greenways. Everyone is welcomed to participate in this conservation work.
“For the event, members of the Ballinfoile Cumann na bhFhear (Men’s Shed ) are making replicas of special traditional implements used in bogs in bygone days to remove vegetation and debris from water channels.
Different organisations are involved in different tasks at different stages along the route including Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest, Galway Civic Trust, Castlegar Connect, VEC, Cumann na bhFear and the Ballinfoile Mór Community Organic Garden. Within Galway City Council, it is supported by Cathy Joyce of the GTU and Stephen Walsh at City Parks while Rosie Webb is the senior official responsible for designing the city’s Greenways network.
Marie Mannion, in her capacity as Heritage Officer of Galway County Council and prime mover behind the ‘Golden Mile’ projects, is providing much needed inspiration, professional expertise and guidance.
“On Sunday May 20, an “Off the Beaten Track” heritage cycle tour will go through the enhanced Carrowbrowne Bog to celebrate the work of the volunteers on the previous weekend. Starting at 11am from the Centra Foodstore on Bóthar an Chóiste, it will include a stop-over for hostelry refreshments at Clooncauneen Castle.
“These Greenway trails will open up an oftentimes hidden side of Galway city to both tourist and locals alike who, by taking to the bike or by walking, will enjoy a fascinating landscape of ancient castles, hedgerows, farmlands natural beauty and rich biodiversity that commence only a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city’s streets,” she said.
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