Award winning looped walk will get its final link

By Una D’Arcy

There was good news for Cllr Frank McDermott and the village of Fore this morning, when the €100,000 needed to complete the footpath of St Feichin’s Way, known locally as the Nancy to Nelly, was confirmed.

“I received a text from Deputy Peter Burke to say that the application under Town and Village enhancement had been successful, this time,” said Frank, “and that we would have the money needed to build a footpath from the Abbey gates back into the village, so that we now have a completely off road trail.”

Westmeath County Council and Fore heritage and Amenity group, of which Frank is the chairperson, has been trying to secure the funding needed to finish the loop for a number of years and the last application to Town and Village enhancement was unsuccessful.

“It is the best news,” said Frank. “Creating the looped walk in Fore was an ambitious project and we relied on the generosity and support of Westmeath County Council, on the expertise of its staff and the ongoing commitment to see the project completed by Martin Murray, the director of services.”

The looped walk, and the work of Fore Heritage and Amenity Group, was recognised by the 2020 Pride of Place National Awards for Community led tourism and since the lockdown the walk has become a crucial part of many people’s daily routines to get out and bank a few kilometres along an unchallenging, beautiful and safe space.

The looped walk may be completed with the investment but the development is always a work in progress.

“The Muriosa Foundation, which has a workshop beside the cathedral (in Mullingar), is working on a three-foot-square fairy house that will be unveiled at Easter and we are preparing the walk to plant 300 hornbeam, and a number of mature oaks.”

Minister Damien English

Minister Damien English joined Cllr McDermott in welcoming the €100,000 funding: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, realising our Rural Potential, and is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.

“I’m delighted to see a place like Fore, known for its welcome to all visitors, being awarded this substantial investment today. Cllr Frank McDermott had a vision for this project and I’d like to thank him for his vision and drive for this project.

“This scheme is there to ensure that towns and villages most in need of support will benefit. I look forward to seeing the new developments this funding will bring linking the village to the walkway.

Cllr McDermott added: “This current grant is a culmination of seven years’ work and it completes our looped walk, which now gives us a choice of 3.5km, 7km or 10km walks. It makes this particular section safer, attractive and completes the project and my dream.”