Plans for Blueway from Wicklow to Waterford
AMBITIOUS plans for a Blueway from Bray to Dungarvan in County Wexford were outlined during a presentation at Monday’s meeting of Wicklow County Council.
Humphrey Murphy of Irish Leisure Consultants made the presentation on the feasibility report on the blue way taking in Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford.
Known as the Three Sea Blueway or Bright Lights Blueway, Mr Murphy said the project would ‘ help get people more physically active while also helping to develop the rural economy. We want to create a journey or corridor with key places along it’.
74 sites along the route have been identified as access points. Bray, Greystones and Wicklow town are considered potential hubs.
‘People can work out where they want to go and what they want to do’, added Mr Murphy.
Sailing, kayaking and snorkelling are some of the activities that can take place along the blueway.
Phase two of the plan will involve talking and engaging with activity providers.
Cllr Grainne McLoughlin described the plans as ‘one of the most exciting projects ever along the east coast’ and felt it would have a ‘massive affect’ on tourism.
Cllr Jennifer Whitmore recalled her childhood growing up beside the sea in Wexford.
‘I spent an awful lot of my childhood by the coast and now I live in Greystones where the sea is hugely important. I know we have beach wheelchairs in Brittas Bay and it would be great to try and make the blueway as accessible for everyone as possible’.
Cllr Gerry Walsh said: ‘ This project fits in perfectly with our existing greenway projects in Blessington and Wicklow’.
Cllr Dermot O’Brien thought it would be great to have a project such as the blueway right on Wicklow’s doorstep.
‘It is an ambitious project which intends to work across three counties.
‘In my work as a youth worker you often find out kids are leaving Wicklow en masse to carry out activities elsewhere. It would be great if these activities were available to them in Wicklow as well’.
Cllr Steven Matthews said consideration should be given to linking the blueway up with projects in Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown.
Cllr Derek Mitchell said: ‘For far too long we have ignored the sea as a leisure source, which is amazing given we are a relatively small island surrounded by water’.