Official opening of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway

The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway was officially opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, in Kilmainhamwood this afternoon.

The 30km greenway was developed along the disused railway line between Kingscourt and Navan and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Transport and Meath County Council to the tune of €6m.

After glorious sunshine this morning, there were heavy downpours as the gathering made their way along the greenway at Kilmainhamwood Station for the official opening but the sun reemerged as Minister Humphreys took to the podium.

Among those in attendance were Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne, Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tommy Reilly, Cavan County Council Cathoirleach Philip Brady, Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe and Cavan County Council Chief Executive Eoin Doyle, members of Meath County Council, and Directors of Services with Meath County Council as well as members of the local community.

Minister Chambers said the greenway would encourage greater levels of travel by cycling and walking among people of all ages and backgrounds, leisure users, tourists, commuters getting to work and school children and that he had seen first hand the transformative impact greenways have had on local communities.

He said the project had "rejuvenated a disused transport corridor into an outdoor recreational facility for all members of the community which will reinforce the linkages between nearby rural communities" and also spoke of the significant financial benefits of greenways in stimulating local economies and boosting small businesses.

Minister Heather Humphreys said she was delighted to be in Kilmainhamwood, which is currently part of her own constituency but moves back to Meath East for the next general election. She laughed that she knew Minister McEntee was keeping a close eye on what she had been doing in the area.

“This greenway project is already been seen as a prime example to replicate right across rural Ireland that is down to the huge effort of local communities. It is guided by the old railway line, and runs from Blackwater Park in Navan right up to Dun na Ri Forest Park in Kingscourt.

"This is going to be a huge boost for the area bringing more people in, more tourists and an opportunity for more industries to shoot up along the route of this greenway."

The Department of Rural and Community Development provided €2m in Outdoor Recreation Funding, while the Department of Transport committed €3m with Meath County Council also contributing €1m towards the project.

"It is not just a place for walk or a cycle, it’s a place to bring people together, that sense of community that goes to the heart of why so many of us choose to live in rural towns and villages," said Minister Humphreys.

She also spoke of local councillor Eugene Cassidy's commitment to the project and his "persistence" in contacting her twice weekly about it, especially since becoming Minister for Rural and Community Development and with it being in her own constituency.

Meath County Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe spoke of how he had seen firsthand in his previous role in Waterford, the positive impact of greenways both socially and economically.

He said the opening of the greenway represented an exciting development for Meath County Council and a total investment of €6m.

Mr Kehoe thanked Irish Rail for facilitating the project, and also local landowners along the route.

He said the project had " transformed a disused transport corridor into an outdoor recreational facility for all members of the community to enjoy".

"The old railway corridor is full of natural and built heritage and a mix of urban in Navan through the farmland of north Meath.I am delighted to see that it has been transformed into the Boyne valley to Lakelands Greenway, which is now a world class amenity that the local community can take great pride in."

After officially opening the greenway, Minister Humphreys moved on to the village to officially open the new community centre in the building known locally as McMahons which was refurbished into meetings rooms and digital hub.