Louth Greenway

​​Louth Greenway a Shining Example

A greenway on Co. Louth is a shining example of how this type of tourist infrastructure can bring prosperity to a marginalised region. In recent years, the Carlingford to Omeath Greenway has proved hugely popular both as a local amenity and as a tourist attraction. Businesses in Carlingford report an increased year-round upswing directly as a result of the Greenway being created. The region displayed many similarities to South Sligo; isolated towns and villages, unemployment yet stunning scenery.

The benefits of the Greenway to the economy of this corner of the Wee County - through accommodation, restaurants, and bike rental - was so notable that the route is currently being extended as far as Newry. This extension will spectacularly pass right through Carlingford Lough with the Newry Ship Canal on one side and the open Lough on the other! The route will form part of the Great Eastern Greenway, which once completed, will provide a traffic-free link from Carlingford to Portadown, Co Armagh.

Hopefully this is an example that will be followed in Sligo in the near future through the use of the disused railway running between Collooney and Bellaghy.
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Oh, Mary this Greenway’s a wonderful sight with people out walking by day and by night. It’s neat and it’s fenced with clear pathway beneath and there are gangs of them cycling all the way to Omeath.

At least when I walked there that’s what I could tell And I wondered if Sligo could have one as well; To have a wee Greenway like the one there’s to see Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea!