Funding of €470,000 has been awarded to Boyle this morning to link King House, the Pleasure Grounds, Boyle Abbey and the Lough Key cycleway with a new walkway.
The investment, will not only improve the existing walkway along the Boyle River but also see an upgrade of the Pleasure Grounds in Boyle town centre and improve the linkage to the Royal Hotel redevelopment which has already secured €1.7m in State funding.
In welcoming the news Deputy Denis Naughten said “This investment will also fully utilise the investment of €500,000 secured for the development of the cycleway from Lough Key to the town of Boyle”.
“The funding which has been secured from Failte Ireland by Roscommon County Council is one of 4 local projects which will attract visitors into Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands tourism region”.
In Athlone an investment of €500,000 has been secured to improve access to the castle from the bridge and to develop an outdoor performance space.
In Carrick-on-Shannon investment of €500,000 will be used to improve signage, parking and public spaces in the town itself.
And in Longford Town funding of €500,000 has been secured to improve the access from the Royal Canal to the Market Square including a forest art installation.
“Between the four projects close to €2m has been secured which will make our region far more attractive for people visiting our area, and for those who are living or plan to live in our community,” concluded Denis Naughten.
The allocation has also been welcomed by Senator Frank Feighan who said:
“I am also delighted that his funding allocation will see the long-awaited upgrade of the Pleasure Grounds. I have pushed for this upgrade for some time and I am very pleased the playground will now undergo a major overhaul“.
“I want to complement the work of Roscommon County Council and all the stakeholders in securing this funding which will help to continue opening up the town and surrounding areas to more visitors“.
“This latest of funding for Boyle complements the €1.7m in State funding for the redevelopment of the former Royal Hotel and €500,000 for the development of a cycle corridor linking up Boyle to our wonderful amenity at Lough Key Forest Park“.
“All of this funding provides a huge boost not just for the town but for this whole region. It also serves to further maximise the wonderful tourism potential of this region for domestic and overseas visitors.”
Chairman of Boyle Town Team Brian Nerney said the Team were delighted with the announcement which he said was ‘a logical progression to compliment the cycle path route and Royal building plans’.
‘We are blessed to have a fine town centre park like the Pleasure Grounds in our midst. In addition, having a river running right through Boyle is something that other towns would be envious of. With this funding we can now upgrade both the Pleasure Grounds and the walkways around the river, especially at the back of Main Street, while also connecting up the soon to be completed cycle path and the soon to be commenced Royal development”.
“The Team are grateful to Eugene Cummins and his staff in Roscommon Co Co and the elected members both locally and nationally who are backing all we are trying to achieve here in Boyle”.
“This allocation from Failte Ireland shows the belief the Government and state agencies have in the work that is currently underway and in the pipeline for Boyle under our 2040 plan. It is yet again great news with hopefully more good news in the New Year” concluded Brian.
Funding of €5,000 for Una Bhan Tourism
Meanwhile Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has also welcomed €4,995 in funding for Una Bhan Tourism.
The allocation is from the Dormant Accounts Fund and has been announced by my colleague, Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development
“This funding is part of the Small Capital Grants Scheme to help grow and strengthen social enterprises like Una Bhan Tourism.
“As Minister Ring has said, social enterprises are providing valuable services and supports in communities across Ireland and this funding is a recognition of their work.”
