Planning bid due for Clonmacnoise cycleway link

Planning approval is to be sought for a 5km cycleway development at Clonmacnoise, which is due to connect with the already-approved Midlands Trail Network in West Offaly.

It's expected that, when it links in with the nearly-finished greenway from Carrickobrien in Athlone to Ballinahown, the development will complete an off-road pedestrian and cycling route between Athlone and the ancient monastic site.

One of the proposed features of the project is an elevated timber boardwalk which would be installed along 2km of the new cycleway.

Bord na Móna Energy Ltd recently advertised its intention to apply to Offaly County Council seeking planning approval for the development of "a recreational shared cycle and walkway" on Bord na Móna land in the townlands of Clonmacnoise, Tullaghbeg, Clonfinlough and Clonascra.

It said the project "proposes to connect into the permitted Midlands Trail Network" in Offaly, and would involve "the repurposing of 1,419 metres of existing former rail bed, 1,522 metres along existing bog headlands, and 2,058 metres along an elevated timber boardwalk".

Upgrade works are being proposed at "two local access road crossings, two agricultural access crossings and one underpass" along the route.

In addition, permission is to be sought for "an integrated viewing point" at "the Mongan Bog section of the route", according to Bord na Móna Energy Ltd.

Last month, Fiona Monaghan, head of activities at Fáilte Ireland, said the Athlone to Ballinahown greenway was likely to be "substantially complete" by the end of September, with this section expected to open to the public before the end of the year.

The greenway at Ballinahown is part of a wider Midlands Trails Network and is due to link in with planned trails in West Offaly and continue on to Lough Boora.

Ms Monaghan confirmed last month that plans were being progressed for a trail that would extend from Clonmacnoise to link in with part of the Athlone to Ballinahown route.

"The section to Clonmacnoise is only going to get into planning (approval stage) under this process, but we would be very hopeful that, post-Just Transition, we will continue to work with BnM on getting that realised through some other funding mechanism," Ms Monaghan said.