Expansion of the Walks Scheme to include the Lung Lough Gara Way and open up the full route on the Beara Breifne Way!

Welcome news today with the announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys to expand the Walks Scheme for new trails which includes the Lung Lough Gara Way close to Castlerea & Ballaghaderreen as part of the Beara Breifne Way.

I’ve worked with Minister Heather Humphreys office in relation to highlighting this section of the Beara Breifne in particular for the farmers and landowners on the Lung Lough Gara route. This trail of over 38kms brings walkers through Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and into Boyle and is a follow from the Suck Valley Way.

The Beara Breifne Way is a wonderful walking and hiking route which comes right through South Roscommon with the Hymany Way close to Ballinasloe and along the Suck Valley Way through Athleague and the Lung Lough Gara Way. With lockdown over the past year & a half we have discovered incredible walks on our doorstep

Walking and hiking has become an integral part of our lives in the last year and a half. Now we need to look at how we can promote this route for local and domestic tourism this summer which will be a real boost to all our towns and villages along the way.

We owe so much to farmers and landowners along this route who have engaged with the Walks Scheme to share their lands and take the lead in maintaining these trails for the enjoyment of so many. Again showing why our farming families are the backbone of our townlands. Through payments with the Walk Scheme, farmers and landowners take the lead in maintaining the trails through their land. This in turn brings such benefits to the community and local income to shops, cafés, B&Bs as well as showcasing the region.

31 new trails across 13 counties are to be added to the ‘Walk’s Scheme’, which aims to open up our countryside to local walkers, hikers and tourists. Today’s announcement means there are will now be 80 trails under the Scheme, which is operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development in conjunction with the Local Development Companies (LDCs) and over 2,400 farmers and landowners in total.

The trails added today involve over 400 farmers and include the Dingle Way in County Kerry, St Declan’s Way in County Waterford, the Ballyhoura Way in County Limerick, the South Leinster Way in County Kilkenny and the Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí in County Cork.

Well done to the local teams in Castlerea & & Ballaghaderreen who have pioneered this project locally on all our behalf!