Rose of tralee visits coolnahay

The Rose of Tralee didn’t bring her bike when she visited the national cycleway at Coolnahay last week, but she said she was impressed with the facility.

Deputy Robert Troy was among a group of local elected representatives who welcomed Maria Walsh to Westmeath, accompanied by Westmeath Rose Katie Murphy, who is from Mullingar. The cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Paddy Hill, and Cllr Andrew Duncan also welcomed Maria, who is on a whistle stop tour of the 32 counties to meet Rose committees.

Deputy Troy informed Maria that Westmeath will have some 80km of off-road cycle tracks when the Coolnahay to the Longford boundary and the Athlone-Mullingar National Cycleway sections are completed this summer.

Both Deputy Troy and the Cllr Hill stressed the importance of the cycling and walking routes as an amenity for Westmeath people and for visitors to the county.

Tourism numbers are expected to increase substantially because of the facilities. The Rose of Tralee was delighted with her visit and posed for lots of photographs. Refreshments were kindly provided by Claire Crinnegan in the Lockhouse.

This year’s Westmeath Rose of Tralee competition will be held in the Annebrook Hotel on March 21 – any enquiries regarding the event can be emailed to westmeathroseoftralee@gmail.com.