Funding options to be explored for slipway at Ladestown

Funding options will be explored for the possible construction of a new slipway at Ladestown, members of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District were told at their February meeting.

The issue was raised in a motion by Cllr Aoife Davitt; in response, the district office said it would examine all possible funding streams, including Irish Fisheries and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure (ORI) rural support schemes, to secure a suitable grant for the project.

Welcoming the reply, Cllr Davitt said she and Cllr Andrew Duncan had raised the issue on a number of occasions. She explained that the original slipway at Ladestown had disintegrated and that there is now a significant dip where it once stood, making access to the water both difficult and potentially dangerous.

She said the rocky shoreline makes it particularly challenging for paddleboarders, canoeists and small boat users to enter the lake safely. Describing Ladestown as a natural access point for boats and anglers — and a regular venue for fishing competitions — she said reinstating a proper slipway would greatly enhance the lakeside amenity.

“It would be a huge asset to our community,” she said, adding that while the cost may be substantial, partnership approaches and outdoor recreation funding could help deliver the project.

Cllr Emily Wallace fully supported the motion, saying any investment in improving access to the district’s lakes and lakeshores would be welcome. She described Ladestown as a well-loved local amenity with significant tourism and economic potential, and suggested that public-private partnerships could also be explored.

Cllr Julie McCourt also backed the proposal, noting that Ladestown is still referenced in some fishing publications as an access point for boats, despite the current slipway no longer being usable. She said she would support any measures to enhance the facility.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly said the district engineer would engage with Irish Fisheries and examine the potential for Outdoor Recreation funding. She confirmed that members would receive an update at a future meeting in the context of the transportation works programme.