An ambassador is now needed to help promote Great Southern Greenway

SIR,

A €5 million investment in any county would normally make the local news but the announcement by Limerick City and County Council that a contractor has been appointed to carry out a major upgrade to the Great Southern Greenway at the end of May did not even warrant a column inch in any of the Kerry newspapers. This is a pity because it has huge, positive implications for the people of Listowel and North Kerry in particular.

Our neighbouring council awarded a contract to Roadbridge for a total upgrade of the 40km Greenway from Rathkeale to the Kerry border at Kilmorna to encompass a three metre wide macadam surface along the entire route. This will make it on a par with the award winning one in Waterford.

They are also to purchase the old Ardagh and Barnagh Station Houses as part of a conservation and promotion plan for the railway heritage associated with the Greenway.

As someone who has cycled the Great Southern Greenway from Abbeyfeale to Rathkeale and back a number of times, the possibilities are endless for tourism, recreation and outdoor pursuits along this hidden gem.

I’m often amazed as I literally pass through a farmyard at Coolbrown outside of Ardagh with the wintering facilities on one side of the Greenway and the silage pits and milking facilities on the other side, how this was facilitated by all concerned. However, the plan above also includes an 800m diversion around this farmyard with the support of CIE and landowners and the Council.

Take note to our friends in South Kerry.

Of course, the reason why the above announcement is so important to Kerry is that this work is meant to be completed in 2021, around the same time the 10km extension to Listowel is to be finished, potentially connecting the city of Limerick through the market towns of Rathkeale, Newcastlewest and Abbeyfeale all the way to Listowel and the economic and all year-round tourism opportunities that this will throw up.

In that regard, perhaps it is opportune that a Great Southern Greenway ‘Ambassador’ be appointed that not only is a single point of contact for promotion and marketing purposes but also links the two councils on this project so that decisions taken with respect to the Greenway are communicated across county lines seamlessly.

The reason I would add why the Dungarvan to Waterford Greenway and The Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill are successful (and I’ve cycled these also) is that they are managed and supported by one local authority.

That Limerick City and County Council having recently spent close to €7 million on their Greenway, including the newly reopened and historic 100 metre Barnagh Tunnel, and appointed a contractor for the project does not even make the news across county bounds shows how important this is if the benefits are to accrue to the people of North Kerry and that they can plan accordingly, Sincerely,

Tom McElligott Tournageehy Listowel