GREENWAY DREAM
TWO young guns from County Sligo discussed the major benefits of a Greenway for the region at a recent get-together to further promote the concept of a Sligo Greenway.
Dr. Brendan Egan and Daniel Davey, BSc, MSc, IOC Dip, NEHS, CSCS, are two of the leading advocates for fitness and healthy living in Ireland today.
They came together recently to discuss the possibilities and benefits of creating the new Greenway on the track of the disused railway line running from Collooney to Bellaghy within the county.
Egan and Davey voiced their support for this project which is now led by Sligo Co Council and is strongly valued by the Sligo communities it is likely to benefit.
Davey, a native of Mullinabreena, has successfully worked as a senior performance nutritionist with Leinster Rugby and Dublin GAA for a number of years. He is extremely supportive of the concept.
He said: “It is well established that our environment has a significant impact on not only our physical health but also our general health and wellbeing. Appropriate exercise in conjunction with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle has been shown to, reduce the risk of lifestyle related disease.”
He continued: “The Greenway is not just an amenity for South Sligo but a ‘A Green Corridor’ for the whole region; connecting Sligo City to Knock Airport. This Green Corridor will connect urban and rural.
“We see an image of the Greenway being used as an alternative infrastructure; lending itself as a commuter route for students and workers to cycle to school or to work and extending new choices on where to buy homes and live.
“This will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions, noise pollution and traffic congestion as it offers an alternative way to commute by providing safer walking and cycling options for commuters. New Industry will appreciate the lifestyle and health benefits of such an amenity.”
Dr. Egan holds the position as Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University.
His current research explores the synergy between nutrition and exercise interventions to optimise performance in athletes and elderly.
He spoke about what he called, “a lack of physical activity being the primary threat to healthy aging, and unfortunately, a large majority of the population fail to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity.
He went on to advise: “Physical inactivity contributes to the development of at least 35 clinical conditions, whereas structured exercise programmes are central to prevention of and rehabilitation from lifestyle-related chronic diseases.”
A recent funding announcement from Government, providing Local Authorities with the means to complete Greenway Funding Application allows Sligo County Council to advance their progress on the proposal for the Sligo Greenway,
Additionally, a further commitment has been made as part of the recent Stormont talks, pledged the creation the cross-border Greenway from Enniskillen to Sligo.