Approval granted for new walking trail along Mayo’s north Atlantic coast

A new walking trail along Mayo’s scenic north Atlantic coast has moved one step closer to realisation.

Councillors from the Ballina Municipal District granted Part 8 approval for a 15-kilometre walking trail which will straddle various scenic landmarks along the county’s northern coast.

The Céide Coastal Path will linking the Céide Fields Neolithic site and the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point at Downpatrick Head. 

The construction of the trail will involve the installation of trailhead, trailhead signage, safety/way marker signage, safety fencing, gates and stiles, improvement of underfoot conditions.

Agreement has already been reached with landowners whose land will be used to construct the walkway.

A total of 27 landowners were involved in the project, which will be funded by €50,000 the Outdoor Recreation Improvement Scheme (ORIS) but will require further funding to complete.

Proposing the Part 8 for the project at the monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District, local county councillor Jarlath Munnelly described the Part 8 approval as ‘a huge step’ for the project.

“I don’t think it should be underestimated the importance of this step, because you look at the other part of the county [the Murrisk Greenway] and a recreational project, people are at loggerheads over it,” Cllr Munnelly said.

Cllrs Michael Loftus and John O’Hara welcomed the approval of the project but said that toilets needed to be installed at the amenity.

Cllr Loftus called for Fáilte Ireland to provide funding to install toilets in the locality.

“I’ve always said the toilet facilities at Downpatrick Head need to be upgraded badly. For this to be a good success toilets need to be put into it,” said Cllr Loftus.

“It’s great for me. If I want to go to the toilet all I have to do is go out in the sea when I’m out diving. For the poor people at Downpatrick Head it’s not that easy.”

Independent councillor Mark Duffy hailed the project as an example of good cooperation between landowners and the local community.

“If we try and impose things on landowners and villages, that’s when you get people’s backs up, whereas this is coming from the grassroots and it will be a great project,” Cllr Duffy said.

The Céide Coast Community group welcomed the approval of the walkway in social media post where they thanked local landowners for their cooperation.

“Our group are extremely proud to have initiated and worked on this project for the past six years and are now looking forward to that vision becoming reality.”