'Sensational' and 'world class' - Greenway with links into Kilkenny

The opportunities for County Kilkenny from the South East Greenway will be “massive.”
That was the prediction of one local councillor after a presentation from the Greenway’s new business development officer to Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors.

Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said the opportunities for the county, when the Greenway between Waterford city and New Ross opens, will be massive.

He said there would be two important elements, for him - creating a link between the Greenway and the Nore Valley and also the future continuation of the Greenway from New Ross to St Mullins and on to Graignamanagh.

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These added developments, he said, would be “huge” in terms of the long term development strategy and will benefit Bennettsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge communities.
Not only would those links benefit the towns, but will also benefit the Greenway and make it “world class” and “sensational,” Cllr Cleere said.

Cllr Cleere was speaking following a presentation to the Callan Thomastown district councillors by Jill Kelleher, the new business development officer for the South East Greenway project.
He told her they knew the South East Greenway is the priority at the moment but asked Ms Kelleher to keep in mind the links into Kilkenny.

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The opportunities, economic and cultural, are ‘massive,’ he said.
“The main thing is to make sure it isn’t a stand-alone project and that it drives business to all areas.”

Agreeing with Cllr Cleere, Ms Kelleher said she agreed and that those kinds of projects could really boost the whole area.
“That’s what we want, people to spend time in towns and villages.”

The new business development officer explained to the councillors that her job will be to look at business ideas along the route of the Greenway, and identify and support sustainable business opportunities.
She will also be looking at marketing the Greenway.

Benefits of the Greenway to the surrounding areas will be extensive, Ms Kelleher said. The Mayo Greenway, which opened in 2010, has benefited the local economy by €38.9 million and is attracting 250,000 visitors each year.
In the first two years of the Waterford Greenway 560,000 people have used the facility.
Ms Kelleher said there is a lot to learn from both projects.

In the future they will be looking at all possible South East Greenway users, from international and local visitors, to walkers, school groups and tourist packages.
Part of this will be to offer ‘signature experiences’ to visitors. By increasing the offering they will increase employment opportunities.

In the new year Ms Kelleher said she is hoping to organise a networking event to help local businesses who have Greenway linked business ideas.
Every business from activity providers to accommodation and hospitality providers, as well as bike hire and community groups will be encouraged to engage with the project.
Ms Kelleher is currently working on a comprehensive development plan in her new role.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen said attractions that are not directly on the Greenway should be included in tour packages, like the villages of Inistioge and Bennettsbridge.
Ms Kelleher said she loved the idea and hopes to do that with different tour operators.

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Director of Services Mary Mullholland pointed out that a lot of community groups along the route of the South East Greenway are asking questions about projects, like the rewilding of land at New Ross Port. “It’s in county Kilkenny but we know nothing. Before working with tour operators we need to talk to local communities,” she said, pointing out that there are plans to link Glenmore to the Greenway and this is a community plan not a business plan. There is also a linkage plan for Slieverue, she added.

Ms Mulholland said a large area of the Greenway is in county Kilkenny and it has been difficult for community groups to get engagement with the Greenway project.
Ms Kelleher said she would bring that back to the Special Projects Group working on the Greenway.

Ms Kelleher said she is also currently reviewing the project website and is happy to work with the local authorities in any way possible.

The first two sections of the South East Greenway, at Rosbercon and in Ferrybank, are set to open in the new year.
A gentle reminder remains in place that the greenway is still an active construction site and the public are advised not to enter the site at any point due to health and safety risks.
On completion, the greenway will be a 24 km off-road cycling and walking trail, the majority of which will be located in scenic County Kilkenny.