Minister Calleary opens Carrigart to Downings walkway in Donegal

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has officially opened a 1.5 kilometre shared pedestrian and cycle path connecting Carrigart to Downings in County Donegal. This new walkway received €500,000 in Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme funding and provides a safe dedicated off-road link for locals and visitors alike commuting or recreating between the two North Donegal villages. Located in the townland of Ballyohagan the walkway runs along the R248 regional road between Carrigart and Downings.

The works completed include integrated drainage improvements and safety fencing along the busy stretch of the R248. Speaking at the opening in Carrigart Minister Calleary shared that he is delighted to acknowledge and celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Carrigart to Downings Walkway. This transformative project represents exactly the type of investment that ORIS was designed to support creating safe accessible and sustainable opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors while strengthening rural communities and enhancing the places where people live work and visit.

Projects such as this deliver benefits that extend far beyond the physical infrastructure itself. They improve road safety and encourage active travel and make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. The Minister acknowledged the dedication and commitment of Donegal County Council the project team local elected representatives community groups including Moving Mevagh Forward Carrigart and Downings Tidy Towns local businesses landowners contractors and all those who contributed to bringing this important project from concept to completion.

Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, shared: “I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge and celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Carrigart to Downings Walkway. This transformative project represents exactly the type of investment that ORIS was designed to support – creating safe, accessible and sustainable opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, while strengthening rural communities and enhancing the places where people live, work and visit. I would therefore like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Donegal County Council, the project team, local elected representatives, community groups including Moving Mevagh Forward, Carrigart and Downings Tidy Towns, local businesses, landowners, contractors and all those who contributed to bringing this important project from concept to completion.”