Over three quarters of a million euro has been allocated to a national biking trail initiative which will run through the Ox Mountains and the Wild Atlantic Way in West Sligo.
Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring has approved funding of over €840,000 for the Coolaney National Mountain Biking Centre.
The plans for this major initiative have been underway for the last five years between a number of groups including Sligo County Council, Coillte, Failte Ireland and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
It’s being flagged as a ‘world-class’ trail and will consist of 76km of single track cycling trails through the Coillte-owned Coolaney Forest on the Ox Mountains and along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fine Gael Councillor in south Sligo Daragh Mulvey is a member of the Coolaney Mountain Biking Centre Committee.
Speaking to Ocean FM News this lunchtime, he said this will mirror similar initiatives in other parts of the country and will enhance the outdoor activities already on offer in this region:
Meanwhile, over €120,000 has been allocated to other walkways across county Sligo.
These include over €8000 towards a walking trail at Carrowkeel outside Castlebaldwin and €10,000 towards a coastal trail Rosses Point and Raghly Head respectively.
Over €66,000 has been allocated towards projects in county Donegal including €8000 towards the Siuloid na Muirlinne in Glencolmcille.
In Leitrim almost a million euro has been allocated to Waterways Ireland to develop a blueway between Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo.
It’s one of the biggest allocations in this region followed by the Coolaney Mountain Biking allocation.
Local Politicians including Mayor of Sligo Hubert Keaney (FG) and Fine Gael TDs Tony McLoughlin and Joe McHugh are welcoming this funding announcement.
