Longford councillor proposes pavement outside Johnny's Cottage and '98 Bar

A Fianna Fáil councillor has called on 'Longford County Council in conjunction with the Regeneration Department and Active Travel to explore the possibility of and seek funding for constructing a public walkway from the village of Ballinamuck to the 98 Bar / Johnny's Cottage whilst retaining as much of the existing hedgerow and trees as possible along the route’.

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The motion was tabled by Cllr David Cassidy and seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Garry Murtagh at the recent meeting of Granard Municipal District and it received good support.

Cllr Cassidy said he believed it was important as a public walkway would finish off all the good work in the village over the years.

"I hope it can be taken into consideration," he added.

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Cllr Murtagh said he was happy to second the motion and it was a positive suggestion, while Independent Cllr Turlough McGovern also spoke positively about it.

Director of Services Barbara Heslin said in order to do it a hedge row would need to be removed and the 2025 applications are now closed but it is definitely something that could be assessed and considered by the local authority ahead of the 2026 deadline.