A further €350,000 has been announced for work on Ballina’s greenway - the Monasteries of the Moy.
When complete, the Monasteries of the Moy greenway will be a 12.5 kilometre cycling and walking route meandering along the west bank of the River Moy between Ballina and Killala, and taking in a number of ancient abbeys and other historical sites.
The greenway is to be developed on a phase-by-phase basis as funding becomes available, and work is already under way on the Ballina side of the route following a €250,000 investment in the project made last year.
This latest tranche of funding will allow work to start on the Killala to Rosserk segment.
The Monasteries of the Moy greenway is expected to be a major tourism draw when complete, as it will offer stunning views along the Moy Estuary and north Mayo coastline as well as taking in sites with rich ecclesiastical heritage.
“I am absolutely over the moon about this,” said Deputy Michelle Mulherin following the approval of the funding by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly.
“Developing this type of attraction creates a draw to an area and the whole local economy gets a boost from that,” she said.
The funding was provided under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 through Mayo North East Leader.
Also welcoming the funding, Deputy Dara Calleary said the greenway will be hugely important for Ballina and also for Killala.
“It will hopefully entice many more visitors to explore this hidden gem,” he pointed out.
The complete route of the greenway has not yet been finalised as there is one section in the middle where local issues have yet to be resolved.
However Deputy Mulherin said she is hopeful an agreement which satisfies all parties, particularly the landowners involved, can be reached soon and that section of the route can be finalised.
