EASTERN GREENWAY
The Argus is delighted to be championing the north Louth ‘Greenway’ as the local initiative in the Get Involved campaign, a sustainable communities initiative built by 51 newspapers around Ireland to help improve the lives of local people and protect the
Like all things, it began with small steps. The ‘Great Eastern Greenway’ which originates in north Louth is a hidden gem along the stunning Carlingford to Omeath coastline.
Chosen as the Argus newspaper’s key project for the innovative ‘Get Involved’ campaign, it is set to be featured among some of the most impressive local community initiatives and projects from around Ireland.
The background to this idyllic stretch of walkway came from within the local community, as Pat O’Rourke who has been working with the local authority on the development of the project explained: ‘ The Greenway concept began as a local suggestion of a trail along the former Dundalk Newry and Greenore Railway between Carlingford and Greer’s Quay near Omeath.
He added that while the clear merit of the such a plan were obvious, the appropriate funding was not clearly available. ‘Nevertheless we successfully applied to the Department of Transport ‘Smarter Travel’ funding in 2012 and got approval for a cycle and pedestrian trail from Carlingford Marina to Omeath which consisted of over six kilometre of Greenway trail.’
The plan developed to create a Greenway along the disused railway line against the majestic backdrop of Cooley and Mourne Mountains.
‘ The Greenway would encourage a more sustainable mobility pattern and enhance the trail network in this part of Ireland,’ explained Pat.
And he pointed out that it was only with the real backing of the local community that the project became feasible.
‘ The are thirty separate access agreements with landowners along the route, and we remain indebted to this very real local co-operation.’
The project advanced through planning process and to construction in 2013, ans has become referred to as The Great Eastern Greenway reflecting it hope to be a crucial part of a Greenway along the East coast.
‘It has proven extremely popular with the public ever since it was opened, said Pat.
Indeed counters operating along the trail have indicated there are 61,500 users per year (2015) of which up to 25% are cyclists.
The last year has been especially significant for the project as the Greenway between Carlingford and Omeath become recognised as a National Trail in 2016, which places it among some of the finest walking and cycling attractions in Ireland.
But clearly the best is yet to come for this inspiring project, as, Pat explains it is hoped that it will be directly linked into a larger similar pathway.
‘Into the future we are looking expanding the Greenway to Newry as a cross border project in the next few years.’
He welcomed the inclusion of the scheme in the national community scheme, saying ‘Louth County Council are delighted to include the Great Eastern Greenway in the Get Involved Initiative.’
THE ARE THIRTY SEPARATE ACCESS AGREEMENTS WITH LANDOWNERS ALONG THE ROUTE, AND WE REMAIN INDEBTED TO THIS VERY REAL LOCAL CO-OPERATION.