Davitt wants path to Lough Ennell as ‘Bóithrín na mBan’

A suggestion that the walking path from Butler’s Bridge to Lough Ennell be named 'Bóithrín na mBan' was made by Cllr Aoife Davitt at the November meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

The Fianna Fáil woman explained that the suggestion had arisen in a submission on the Local Area Plan.

The location – which, she said, needs some clearance undertaken – had become quite famous recently as birdwatchers assemble to watch the murmurations over Lough Ennell, and dog-owners enjoy walking their dogs there too.

The official written response from the district stated that if the members agree, the renaming of the walkway process, as set out under the legislation, can commence.

Ballagh

At the same meeting, Cllr Davitt asked that the speed limit at Ballagh be reduced to 50kmh – but declared herself to be “in dismay” at the reply.

The official written response provided stated that the council’s Transportation Section has commenced the second phase of the speed limit review process which entails a review of the urban speed limit bye laws.“This next phase of the review has to be concluded, with speed limits adopted, no later than 30 October 2026,” Cllr Davitt was informed, with the reply adding that the Ballagh Road is to be examined as part of the review.

“I thought we had smashed through all the issues we were going to have at Ballagh,” she said, remarking that it now seemed there would be no change until at least after October 2026.District engineer, Pat Kavanagh, indicated that this might not be the case, explaining that he had met with the transportation section and asked that Ballagh be fast-tracked.

“It’s certainly my intention to get that done as quickly as possible. If I can get it done by January, I’d be very pleased,” he stated.