Meet Pedal and Pace: The Woolly duo bringing the West Mayo Greenway debate online
A new social media campaign is taking a light-hearted approach to one of Mayo's most talked-about infrastructure proposals — with a pair of sheep leading the charge.
Two new faces are set to become familiar names in the conversation around the proposed Westport to Louisburgh Greenway.
Pedal and Pace — a pair of woolly mascots with curious personalities and, as their creators put it, no shortage of opinions — are at the heart of a new community-focused social media campaign launching this week.
The campaign, which will run across social media platforms over the coming months, aims to bring a more accessible and inclusive tone to public discussion about the proposed Greenway, which would stretch from Westport to Louisburgh Town along one of the most scenic corridors in the west of Ireland.
Rather than taking sides in what has sometimes been a contentious debate, Pedal and Pace will "travel" the proposed route in a series of regular posts, short videos, and community updates — stopping along the way to explore local history, highlight potential benefits, and invite discussion from supporters, sceptics, and the simply curious alike.
Public versus private good
The proposed Greenway has generated significant interest across County Mayo. Supporters point to the potential for increased tourism, safer walking and cycling infrastructure, and a boost to local businesses and the wider rural economy — outcomes consistent with the experience of other greenways developed across Ireland in recent years.
But the route also passes through private land, and a number of landowners have raised formal concerns and objections about the proposal, including, according to previous reports in the Mayo News, intentions to deny access to land for survey work. Campaign organisers say those voices deserve to be part of the conversation, not drowned out by it.
"This conversation matters because people care deeply about the place they live," a spokesperson for the campaign said. "We recognise that there are different perspectives on the Greenway, particularly among affected landowners, and it's important those voices are heard respectfully."
Questions worth asking
The campaign is built around the practical questions many people in the community are already raising: What could the Greenway mean for local businesses? How have similar projects benefited rural communities elsewhere? What opportunities might it create for families and future generations — and how can legitimate concerns be addressed constructively?
Organisers believe the friendly format, anchored by Pedal and Pace, can help make a complex public planning discussion feel less daunting and more open to a wider audience.
"There's a strong tradition in Mayo of neighbourly conversation and finding common ground," the spokesperson added. "Pedal and Pace are really about bringing that spirit online — asking questions, listening carefully, and helping people understand the bigger picture."
Whether you're firmly behind the Greenway, uncertain about certain aspects of it, or simply want to know more, campaign organisers say all are welcome to follow along. The journey begins this week on social media.
As Pedal and Pace themselves might put it: every good journey begins with a conversation.