Walk this way
A new pedestrian walkway has been opened near Millstreet running from Drishane Castle to Coole and forms part of a popular looped walk.
The project was spearheaded by Millstreet Tidy Towns who approached the landowner with a proposal to seek planning permission.
The group secured grant funding of €120,000 under the Community Recognition Fund which was matched by Cork County Council.
Cllr Martin Coughlan, Deputising for the Mayor of the County Cork and Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Chief Executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell cut the ribbon recently on the project.
The scheme, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, supports the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. At the time, Millstreet was home to over 300 Ukrainian people.
In total 830 metres of new footpath was constructed with an additional 60 metres of old tarmac path replaced, together with installation of solar powered street lighting. The works were completed by Finucane & Sons, Civil Engineering Ltd.
Cllr Martin Coughlan said: “This project has provided huge benefits for the area to include increases in wellbeing, community spirit and integration. It is being widely used and has received hugely positive feedback locally.”
Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht said: “To date €100 million has been provided to cities, towns and villages nationwide who have hosted new arrivals and Cork County Council were allocated funding of over €4.3 million under this fund.
“This project is a demonstration of how vital such funding can be for a town and I want to congratulate everyone who brought it to fruition and I look forward to working with Cork County Council on future projects.”
Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, added: “The area is a particularly popular walking route and is part of the looped walk which links in with the Boeing Amenity Area, together with Millstreet Train Station. Not only does it provide a safe connection to Drishane Castle and Coole, it also provides a visually attractive entry into Millstreet town.”