'A world class amenity that the local community can take great pride in'

North Meath is set to benefit from a major economic boost with the completion of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway which is expected to attract thousands of visitors into the region.

The 30km walking and cycling path, which links Navan and Kingscourt along the route of the old railway line, was officially opened on Sunday afternoon by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.

Starting off close to Blackwater Park in Navan, it passes through the north Meath countryside taking in Kilberry/Gibbstown, Wilkinstown, Castletown, Nobber and Kilmainhamwood before finishing in Dun na Rí Forest Park in Kingscourt.

Now more than a decade in the planning, it was developed in stages over the past four years and represents a €6m investment by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Department of Transport, Meath County Council and Cavan County Council. Further funding has also been committed to provide car parking facilities, traffic calming and a link to Kilberry village.

Among those also in attendance at the official opening were Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne, Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tommy Reilly, Cavan County Council Cathaoirleach 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.

There were heavy downpours as the gathering made their way along the greenway at Kilmainhamwood Station for the official opening but the sun re-emerged as Minister Humphreys took to the podium. The Cavan Monaghan TD said she was delighted to be in Kilmainhamwood, which is currently in her own constituency, though boundary changes mean it will revert back to Meath East for the next general election.

"Projects like this greenway are not just places where we can go for a walk, a run, or a cycle. They are places where we can come together as families and friends – they have become social outlets for so many more people over the last few years," said Minister Humphreys.

"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 " she added.

Minister Humphreys 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.

Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers said: “The opening of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway represents an exciting development for counties Meath and Cavan. Approximately €3 million has been spent by the Department of Transport in developing this Greenway route to date, with further investment committed. "I am delighted to mark the start of Bike Week by opening this new greenway today, which offers 30km of safe, accessible active travel infrastructure and will encourage greater levels of travel via cycling and walking rather than private car use amongst leisure users, tourists, and commuters.”

He spoke of the "transformative impact" greenways have had on local communities and the significant financial benefits of greenways in stimulating local economies and boosting small businesses.

Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tommy Reilly said the greenway will bring economic benefits as well as very important health and social benefits to our communities and said it was a great day for the region, particularly north Meath.

Meath Co Council Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe, who was a Director of Service with Waterford Co Council before taking up his new role in Meath, outlined how he had seen the impact greenways have both socially and commercially and he was sure it would have the same impact on this part of Meath. He thanked Irish Rail for facilitating the project and also the local landowners for their support.

He said the old railway corridor is full of natural, cultural 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.

"Driving growth in the region through tourism is a key priority for the Meath County Council. The presence of topclass visitor attractions like this Greenway plays an integral role in achieving this goal.

“Developing compelling visitor experiences is essential to attract tourists from all around the world, and I have no doubt that this magnificent greenway will provide an exceptional experience for both locals and overseas visitors alike," he said.

Local councillor Eugene Cassidy who first mooted the project 13 years ago said it was a wonderful day for north Meath and a wonderful day for Kilmainhamwood, where the official opening of a new community centre also took place.

He said how initially his idea was to do a walking loop in Nobber and then said they "may as well try for the whole lot".

"I rang Mick Daniher [Irish Rail] and he said to me in his best Clare accent- go for it. So we did and we have been going for it ever since. It took a lot of years to get the foot in the door, that was the bit that was most important-to get it started, and then the money flowed from there."

After officially opening the greenway, Minister Humphreys moved on to Kilmainhamwood village to officially open the new community centre in the building known locally as “McMahons,” a place with a rich and varied history and which was recently refurbished into meetings rooms and a digital hub.