Galway Greenway a great boost for Connemara tourism

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, has welcomed the announcement of €403,000 in funding for the first phase of the Galway Greenway. The funding is part of a €1.4 million investment in key tourism sites along the Wild Atlantic Way announced today (Thursday) by Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD. Ten million euro in total is being invested in the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal through Galway, to Kinsale in Co. Cork

“I am delighted at the news that the Galway Greenway is to receive €403,000 from this fund for key tourism sites along the Wild Atlantic Way. “The Greenway, which will be similar to the hugely successful one in Mayo, will consist of a walking and cycling trail linking Galway to Clifden. The first phase of development will focus on the stretch between Oughterard and Clifden.

“Growing numbers of tourists are pursuing active holidays involving walking and cycling, and Connemara has huge amount to offer to them. The Galway Greenway is designed to attract these tourists and give them a first class experience while they are here.

“The Galway Greenway will of course also benefit local people, offering a safer route for them to walk and cycle to school or work, and for exercise. The Greenway forms part of the National Cycle Network prioritising traffic-free cycling to encourage people to get on their bikes. Indeed, Clifden is one of the Cycle Hubs in this project, with lots of scenic traffic-free routes marked out for local people and tourists alike.

“The Wild Atlantic Way is the Government’s top tourism project for 2014 and it is great to see investment such as this focused on the West.”