Main pic: A ‘blueway’ footpath in Monellan Wood established by CAKE in conjunction with Coillte.
A progressive east Donegal community group has been awarded €5,000 to carry out a study on the potential of their local waterways.
Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise (CAKE) received the money under the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO). In what was a hugely competitive application process, the group successfully obtained grant aid from a total national fund of just €500,000.
The money will be used to carry out a professional feasibility study into the potential benefits of the River Finn, and its tributaries, to the area’s economy and health and wellbeing of its inhabitants. The study will also establish ways to improve the quality of the waterways for aquatic life as well as the possibility of providing riverside walkways.
“This study will help us find out what can be done to enhance and engage further with our local waterways,” a spokesperson for CAKE said.
“It will also include an analysis of the potential opportunities, and environmental impacts, provided by blueway development.”
A blueway is defined as a network of approved and branded multi-activity recreational trails and sites. These would be based on, and closely linked with, the waterways.