Plans afoot to expand Sligo’s walks and trails

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

An update was provided to the December meeting of Sligo County Council in relation to planned walk developments and upgrades including the Garavogue River Walk from Queen Maeve Square to Lough Gill, the Lady Ann Trail from the hospital to Hazelwood, the Ray Flynn Walk and the Hazelwood Footbridge.

Addressing the Council Chamber in relation to the response to his motion Cllr Thomas Walsh said, “I welcome the fact that the Sligo Way has been almost completed between Slish Wood and Union Wood across Lough Lumman, a €200,000 upgrade.”

Cllr Walsh added, “Most of the projects are progressing at a very good pace and I think this is a great section of the local authority in terms of its efficiency and how we’ve managed and progressed so many capital projects across the county and I think there’s no doubt that today this county is probably the walking capital in terms of trails and trail heads.

Speaking about the Ray Flynn walk, Cllr Walsh said, “I know from April we were talking about this new walk in Calry, we were expecting this to be progressed to tender in Q2 2025, I see in this report concept design is being completed and consultation is underway with stakeholders.

"In relation to the Queen Maeve Trail I welcome the fact that €189,000 has been allocated for trail heads at Sligo Rugby Club under this year's RS which is going to be progressed in 2026.”

Cllr Walsh also asked for a timeline in relation to the Hazelwood Footbridge while he also welcomed the news of a successful application for funding to the tune of €500,000 for the Glenwood upgrade near Collooney.

The Lady Ann Trail in Hazelwood was also raised with Cllr Walsh commenting, “We have completed a section from Hazelwood to McHale's and I think that is almost complete but for the continuation of that I would ask that maybe that could be explored at some point going forward because it would be important that we try to navigate a way back in towards Sligo if at all possible which would be great connectivity of that urban infrastructure which we’re developing between Hazelwood House and McHale's but there is no proposal.

Cllr Fergal Nealon also expressed his enthusiasm with regard the proposed Hazelwood footbridge saying, “This seems to be the one people get really excited about. A link into town would be a real game changer.”

Director of Services Emer Concannon addressed the meeting in relation to this feature saying, “In relation to the Hazelwood Footbridge facility we are doing a feasibility study and then it will be subject to an application for further funding to bring that project along so that’s where we are at.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.