Mayo's impressive investment in tourism continues unabated

Mayo's investment in tourism is continuing in impressive style.

Despite a setback last year in respect of greenway projects, which has since been addressed, Mayo County Council has won plaudits in communities throughout the county for its ongoing development of leisure amenities.

The list of achievements during 2022 borders on the remarkable with 20 different completed projects listed in the latest report by the authority's tourism department.

They included works on the Clew Bay Trail between Achill Sound and Cashel as well as Murrisk and Bertra, upgrading works on the stunning Bangor Trail, the creation of new coastal loop walks at Blacksod and Pullathomas with improvements carried out to the existing walks at Kilcummin and Bonniconlon along with phase two of the Bowers Walk, Ballinrobe.

Fine works have also been undertaken on the creation of a car park at Lahardane for hikers climbing Nephin mountain while a fishing access point has been created at Clare Lake in Claremorris.

The trail in the new Martin Neary Woodland Park, Swinford, has received accreditation while the Mayfield Walk, Claremorris, received investment.

A new website listing the new and old walking trails in Mayo is now live thanks to the council's digital department and it is attracting big visitor numbers.

As well as the council's financial input, much of the works were also funded nationally through the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Disability Awareness, the Department of Health's Slainte Healthy Communities Programme, Forestry Services, Leader, Inland Fisheries Ireland as well as local groups like Carnacon and Clare Lake community development groups.

Other works were also carried out in each of Mayo's four municipal districts as a result of tourism funding.