Funding to assist repair work along popular Sligo Way
EMERGENCY funding of almost € 55,000 has been granted to support the repair effort on the Sligo Way following fire damage during the recent forest fires. Tony McLoughlin TD welcomed the announcement by Minister of State Michael Ring who awarded funding of € 54,480 for urgent repairs to the Sligo Way.
Minister Ring said: “The Sligo Way, a 76km long distance way- marked walking trail located in counties Sligo and Leitrim is a very important part of the tourism infrastructure in Co. Sligo and is currently closed due to recent fire damage. The section of the Sligo Way at Killery ( between Slish Wood and Innisfree) has been badly damaged by recent forest fires. As these sections of boardwalk are unsafe to walk on this part of the trail is now closed until the repairs can be completed.”
This section of the walkway is due to form a part of the ‘ Sligo Camino’ and its closure has placed a question mark over the festival.
“This section of The Sligo Way is particularly popular with walkers and comes under the Department’s Walks Scheme. The value of this popular event ( 600 participants) to rural communities and the walking product in County Sligo is significant,” said Minister Ring.
“The importance of these natural walks and trails to rural economies cannot be underestimated and we in Government have made a commitment to double the current Walks Scheme in recognition of this. However it is also important that we maintain the Walks that are currently in place and support a repair effort such as this in light of a natural disaster such as the recent forest fires. I hope that this funding will ensure that the “Sligo Camino” will go ahead on its planned route for 2017” concluded Minister of State Ring.