€5.1 million boost to extend two Mayo Greenway routes

A further €5.1 million has been allocated to Mayo County Council to support the extension of two Greenway routes in the county.

The investment is to extend the route from Achill Sound to Bunnacurry as well as from Westport to Murrisk, adding 52 kilometres to the popular tourist route.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Alan Dillon said: “This is wonderful news for Mayo.

"This investment will see a further extension of the greenway onto Achill Island and significant further work on the trail between Westport and Murrisk.

"With each investment from the Government, we are getting closer to completing the Greenway all the way around Clew Bay.

“The Great Western Greenway has been a phenomenal success for Mayo. It is probably the finest outdoor recreational facility in the country and something of which we are rightly proud.

“As Fine Gael spokesperson on Tourism and Sport, I understand how vital the tourism sector is for Mayo.

"Figures released by Fáilte Ireland this week show that every €1 million spent by tourists supports 27 jobs.

"There can be no doubt that the Great Western Greenway has helped create many jobs and brought significant amounts of money into Mayo.

"In so doing it has had a resoundingly positive impact on people’s lives.

“The Greenway has also provided us with a fantastic recreational resource and local people all along the route and from further afield in Mayo are using it in significant numbers.

"I’ve no doubt that it is having an extremely positive impact on people’s physical and mental health."