Boardwalk at Acres Lake built using €500,000 Departmental funding
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has said that Ireland’s first floating boardwalk, which he officially opened today at Acres Lake in County Leitrim, is making it even more difficult for visitors to ignore the Shannon Blueway.
The Shannon Blueway Boardwalk at Acres Lake is Ireland’s first floating boardwalk and completes a 14km off-road trail linking Drumshanbo and Leitrim Village. The 600 metre boardwalk has been constructed partly on land, with a significant section floating over the water of Acres Lake. This boardwalk is part of the 200km long Shannon Blueway network throughout Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Cavan.
“For years Leitrim and its neighbouring counties were not given the recognition they were due but the Shannon Blueway, which this boardwalk is part of, is making the region increasingly hard to ignore. This boardwalk is just another feather in the cap of this region. A combination of a beautiful natural resource, the commitment and creativity of the local community and the support of the State has helped to create this fantastic Shannon Blueway and I urge people from Ireland and beyond to visit it.
“The floating boardwalk was funded with a €500,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme allocated by my Department in 2016. On the evidence of what we have seen today, it represents an excellent investment. It will help bring more visitors from Ireland and abroad to this wonderful part of the world and in doing so will help create jobs for local people. The recent allocation by my Department of €1.1m to Leitrim County Council will see the delivery of a new walkway and cycle way from Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim Village and from Acres Lake to the Lough Allen Hotel.
“I’m delighted that this region is finally beginning to shine and get the credit it deserves. This project represents exactly what my Department is about: supporting locally led initiatives to create jobs and infrastructure. Last year over 80,000 people visited the region in order to experience the Shannon Blueway. From a personal perspective, it’s gratifying to know that the Shannon Blueway took its inspiration and indeed its business model from the Great Western Greenway in Mayo which I have been closely involved with from the start.
“This Government is building a republic of opportunity by working to ensure that all parts of Ireland share prosperity and economic growth whether it is through new roads, broadband and more job opportunities.
“Leitrim County Council, Waterways Ireland and the local community deserve great credit for having the vision to create this project and for making it happen. It’s a great example of local communities working with the local authority and State bodies to create something wonderful and enhance their own community.”
Note to Editors:
This project involved the procurement and installation of the floating walkway, the construction of a new path linking the walkway to the services at Acres Lake, increased and improved parking provision, and a new viewing point and fishing stand. Carried out by Waterways Ireland staff the work has been completed to a very high standard.
The €500,000 support from the Department of Rural and Community Development's Outdoor Infrastructure Scheme enabled the Shannon Blueway to be extended from its terminus at Drumhauver Bridge along an attractive new walkway 600 metres long in total.
The boardwalk provides linkage for the existing 14km of looped walks to the facilities and services at Acres Lake and Drumshanbo town, another key element of Blueway infrastructure.
The Shannon Blueway is a network of 200km long quality multi-leisure activity trails across Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Cavan, both on and off water, that offer a wider and deeper experience of the region through associated activities and attractions. There are now 8 activity providers operating on the Blueway and accommodation & hospitality sector in the wider geographical area are developing interesting and exciting packages for families and friends to experience. (www.bluewaysireland.org).
Developed by Waterways Ireland and a number of key partners including Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford County Councils, the National Trails Office and Canoeing Ireland, with funding from the Rural Recreation Grant Aid, the Shannon Blueway has already received two awards and brought an additional 80,000 visitors to the area annually.