Boost for tourism as Cullyfad Walkway and phase two of North Longford Rebel Trail officially opened

The Cullyfad Walkway and phase two of North Longford Rebel Trail were officially opened in December by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.

The Cullyfad Walkway is a public walking track developed around a local disused GAA pitch, creating a popular public amenity for the local community. The development includes landscaping and upgrading of the adjacent carpark.

It was funded by the CLÁR programme under the Department of Rural and Community Development, Longford County Council and by the Cullyfad Village Enhancement community group. The CLÁR fund is administered by Longford County Council. CLÁR provides targeted funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas.

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This project was driven forward by the Cullyfad Community Group. Project contractors were FT Fencing, Fintan Fox and Albert Murphy and Engineer Adrian Lee Planning and Design.

CAPTION: Minister Heather Humphreys; Cllr Gerry Hagan; Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon; Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi; Cllr Martin Monaghan; Cllr Seamus Butler; Longford County Council Director of Services John Brannigan; Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey; Longford County Council Senior Executive Officer Ciaran Murphy; Micheál Carrigy TD; Cullyfad Community Group Chairperson Sean Murray and Longford County Council Director of Services Barbara Heslin Picture: Shelley Corcoran Photography

Phase two of the North Longford Rebel Trail covers 3km of walk and cycleway linking the Fr Manning Gaels GAA grounds in Monaduff to the village of Ballinamuck. This work builds the first phase of the North Longford Rebel Trail which comprises a 2km off-road walkway which has proven popular since it was first opened in 2020.

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Funding for this project was provided from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2022. Longford County Council also provided funding for the project.

CAPTION: Cllr David Cassidy; Micheál Carrigy TD; Cllr Paraic Brady; Granard Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh; Minister Heather Humphreys; Cllr Gerry Hagan; Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon and Fr Pat Lennon Picture: Shelley Corcoran Photography

The contractors on the project were AA Agri, FT Fencing, Peter Gill Contractor, and Willie Monaghan and Sons. Special thanks are given to local landowners, Fr Manning Gaels GAA, Inland Fisheries and the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS).

Minister Heather Humphreys, who did not seek re-election to the 34th Dáil, said she was always delighted to visit county Longford to see at first hand the projects funded by her Department and the transformative effect these projects have on their communities.

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Minister Humphreys added, “These community and regeneration projects facilitate a variety of civic, social and community uses which plays a vital role in bringing life back to our communities, preserving what is wonderful about Irish culture and contributing to continual improvements in people’s lives in our towns and villages making the vision of Our Rural Future a reality.

“I congratulate everyone involved in these projects – the landowners, the local community groups and sporting organisations, the contractors and Longford County Council who through their collaboration have delivered fantastic facilities and brought their vision to reality.”

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey welcomed the opening of both projects, “It is great to welcome Minister Humphreys to Longford once again. These new amenities will be of great benefit to local people and visitors alike. I thank the communities involved for their hard work, I also thank the contractors and Council staff. I encourage everyone to get on their walking shoes and visit the Cullyfad Walkway and the North Longford Rebel Trail.”

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Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “These projects are testament to what can be achieved through local people and the local authority working together to deliver projects for the benefit of the community.”