Bog eco walk at Girley inaugurated

Meath County Council cathaoirleach Liz McCormack recently launched the Kells Girley Bog Eco Walk at Kells Heritage Centre. The walk consists of six kilometres around Girley bog and the surrounding Coillte forest and forms part of Failte Ireland"s National Loops. The launch was hosted by Meath Tourism and Meath County Council. The Girley Bog Eco Walk was completed last year and commences at a car park at Drewstown on the N52, 5km outside of Kells on the road to Clonmellon. The loop takes walkers through tranquil Coillte forest with a wonderful variety of birdlife, plant and animal life, followed by beautiful views over the Girley bog. There are a number of interpretive panels along the walk with the history of Irish bogs as well as details on the forest and scrub as well as photographs and information on the great sundew, common frog, pine marten and lichens. Walking boots are required along the country terrain. The project was funded by Failte Ireland and Meath County Council with support from Meath Tourism, Kells Chamber of Commerce, the landowners of Girley, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte. The intended aim of the project is to attract increased domestic and overseas tourism activity to County Meath, along with raising awareness of the countryside. Girley Bog is a site of considerable conservation significance. It comprises of a raised bog and one that is becoming increasingly scarce in Ireland. Raised bog will have significant appeal to overseas visitors where it is becoming a rare habitat in the EU. A new brochure is available with details of the walk and a copy can be obtained from Meath Tourism on (046) 909 7060 or email info@meathtourism.ie