Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Dep Michael Ring yesterday announced another major boost for tourism in Mayo when he announced €1,450,000 in funding for a greenway from Castlebar to the National Museum of Country Life in Turlough House. Minister of State Ring’s department will fund half of the money through the National Cycle Network Funding and welcoming the news he said, “This grant funding will be matched by Mayo County Council as the total costs of the project are €1,450,000 for the 8.8 km off road greenway along the banks of the Castlebar River from Newtown, Castlebar through the town centre and east to Turlough village and to the National Museum of Ireland located in Turlough House. With the funding already allocated by Fáilte Ireland for the Greenway project from Castlebar to Islandeady, this project will further enhance tourism infrastructure in Mayo and build on the success of the existing Greenway. Walking and cycling are popular pursuits for domestic and overseas tourists and with these extensions, the Greenway will, in my opinion, become a must visit destination for these activities. I am delighted with this announcement. This is good news for Castlebar and good news for the county,” concluded Minister Ring.
The news of this tourism funding boost for the county town follows hot on the heels of the announcement last week of a €12.5 million major development at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar, incorporating a national outdoor pursuits academy and a new swimming pool for the county town.
