Minister visits to view Kilbeggan to Mullingar greenway project
On Wednesday morning last the arrival of Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Finance, at Harbour Buildings Kilbeggan brought welcome news for Kilbeggan and south Westmeath. The formal announcement of funding and the appointment of consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers, to initiate the route selection process of extending Grand Canal Greenway from Kilbeggan to Mullingar was made.
That sets in train a process of enhancement for the area that will be both valuable amenity to enjoy and a facility inviting added tourist traffic to the area. It will be a link where geography and history rhyme (to borrow from Seamus Heaney) to allow diverse interests to explore and interact with the rich history, architecture, archaeology, lakes, rivers and landscapes of the area, serving to bring communities together in a more personal and interactive way.
The meeting was launched by local man and the new cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Liam McDaniels, who welcomed the minister to a well-attended event.
From speaking yo the consultants, it is understood that an initial route selection process is in progress and first reports should be available before the end of this year.
This development is a major vote of confidence for the efforts of Renew Kilbeggan and the Harbour Committee over the years. No longer are the restored building and the Kilbeggan to Ballycommon Greenway standalone projects, as they have become the catalyst and the inspiration for the interconnecting of two major greenways, the Grand Canal and the Dublin to Galway.
That makes Kilbeggan a central access on the network, and opportunity that presents is the off road linking of the three major midlands towns, Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore.
The Kilbeggan Ballycommon greenway project it began with asking Terry McCague, then head of forward planning at WCC, what was the first thing do; he suggested making a submission to his office to have Kilbeggan Grand Canal zoned as greenway area and included in the upcoming county development plan.
That was the first phase of a journey that progressed from putting together a local development plan to commissioning an ecological study and engaging with Waterways Ireland on legal and land matters. The local committee also work closely with Westmeath and Offaly County Councils to ensure a coordinated approach, and in having the project ready for planning and funding applications.
Last week’s announcement confirms the importance of that first step and opens the door to further opportunities in the area, and if anything can be gauged from the success of other greenways around the country, places like Kilbeggan can look forward to a brighter and prosperous future.
By Dan Scally, chairman of Renew Kilbeggan and Harbour Committees