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THE SLIEVEMARGY WAY WAYMARKED WALKING ROUTE.
The Slievemargy Development Group came together in August 1997 under the guidance of Laois Leader to identify and progress opportunities for cooperation, development, and revitalisation of the region.
The first project the group decided to address was the provision of a major walkways venture through the Slievemargy region encompassing Carlow, Killeshin/Rossmore, Mayo/Doonane, Wolf hill, The Rushes, ArIes, Maganey, and back to Carlow along the Barrow Track
This Way Marked Way was launched at Oisin Park, Killeshin, on 26th August 2001 by Miriam O'Callaghan of RTE's Primetime program.
There was a large attendance at the launch in glorious sunshine and the unveiling of the map board for the walk was preceded earlier by a walk in the general area and enjoyed by some sixty participants.
Michael Bergin of Laois Leader said the Leader 2 initiative
had been hugely successful with 13 marked walking ways supported in the
County and it was now possible to walk from Graigcullen in Carlow to Clonaslee
in the Slieve Blooms. The Slievemargy Way was the biggest of these projects
with over 70 kms. of walkways through varied and beautiful countryside
a major
part of which is off road. The chairperson of the Slievemargy Group, Mr.
Tony Lacey welcomed Miriam O'Callaghan who in turn spoke of her links
with Ballylinan. Mr. Lacey thanked the sponsors, noting that Leader had
provided 50% of the funding as well as back-up, Fas, the landowners, Coillte,
Waterways Ireland, and Laois and Carlow County Councils. Deputies Charles
Flanagan and John Moloney also spoke commenting on the great
work being done by local groups and by Leader. Laois and Carlow county
councillors were also in attendance, and a blessing for the walks was
performed by Canon Challender and Fr. Tom O'Shea.
The walks are now open to be enjoyed by everybody and you can join the walk anywhere along the route -Oisin Park, Wolfhill, The Rushes, ArIes, Maganey, and the Barrow Track to Carlow.
Brochures have been produced on the walks, Walking in Laois Slievemargy Way, and these will be available in local tourist offices and shops. Map boards will also guide walkers with one erected at Oisin Park, Killeshin, and others to be erected at Carlow and Wolfhill.
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Persons interested in organized group walking can contact Joe
Delaney of the Wolfhill Walking Club, Tel. 0507 35575.
