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Tourism is presently worth circa €5 billion annually
to the Irish economy and will increase substantially in importance if the
correct interlinked policies are put in place.
Whilst many overseas tourists come to Ireland to
attend business conferences or stags/hen parties in Dublin, Cork or other
cities, nevertheless viable sustainable alternatives are being developed
primarily in the rural areas that will once again entice in travellers
interested in experiencing the sights and sounds of the countryside or to
re-connect with the land of their forefathers.
I went to experience one such project in county Mayo
that has in its short history become one of the state’s fastest growing tourist
attractions as well as acting as a template for others to emulate.
An Atlantic Greenway
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| Old Railway Bridge |
The Great Western Greenway presently goes from
Newport to Achill but is being extended to Westport and hopefully onto Clifden
where ambitious proposals to re-develop the old railway line to Galway city will link
into other major ‘green corridors’ in east Galway (that I am involved with) thus
creating a vast walking and cycling network that could dramatically increase
the public’s participation and understanding of eco-tourism, making it
mainstream in the process.
Walking and cycling through the vast wilderness and
farmlands that exist in the West of Ireland should make people appreciate the
beauty of nature and the urgent need to safeguard wildlife habitats such as bogs, mountains,
hedgerows, wetlands and meadows are
under serious threat from human encroachmen.
Tourism in Ireland: Short History
From the second half of the 19th century
until the last two decades, the majority of foreign tourists traditionally travelled
here to enjoy the country’s green and pleasant rural land and seascapes.
Ireland came to international prominence as a tourist
destination when Queen Victoria visited in 1861 and stayed amongst the lakes
and mountains of Killarney in country Kerry. With the construction of a network
of 2,000 miles of railways by the 1890s, the wealthy aristocracy and gentry of
Europe started to arrive in this part of the British Empire to enjoy the
scenery, fishing, fox hunting and game shooting.
From the 1930s, Irish governments quite successfully promoted the clean idyllic Irish countryside into Britain and to the Irish
Diaspora in the USA.
Sadly the Celtic Tiger’s mad rush to modernity
destroyed much of our natural heritage leaving us with a legacy of urban sprawl, a
huge countrywide network of so-called ‘once-off housing’, hundreds of derelict estates,
polluted waterways, a private car based transport infrastructure, intensive
agriculture that poisoned our native insects and wildlife, and the
disappearance of bogs, hedgerows and dry stone walls all in the name of
‘progress’.
Much of Ireland’s renowned tranquillity disappeared
under a layer of concrete, tarmac, lighting and man-made noises.
This process even transformed our individual personalities changed as we
became a lot more selfish, more aggressive and a lot less friendly.
Re-awakening of a Sense of Place & Community
But thankfully there is now a growing awareness
across different strata of society from local communities to national
government that the island’s natural and social heritage is something that is
worth saving. Though the reasons may vary amongst the different groupings ,
nevertheless most of their aspirations are progressive, including: the development
of high value eco tourism markets (from outdoor sporting activities to walking
tours); the preservation of our cultural traditions and the protection of our
indigenous biodiversity. There are also economic and societal side benefits such
as improving personal health and fitness, as a source of clean renewable energies,
leisure amenities, herbal medicines and organic farm produce.
Over the last few years, visionary individuals in
local authorities are working closely with community, educational and
environmental groups all across Ireland to create exciting sustainable rural
projects that will increase public access to the countryside without damaging
its beauty or its wildlife habitats.
For instance, under the auspices of Marie Mannion,
the council’s energetic Heritage Officer, Galway is dotted with over hundred
‘Golden Mile’ routes that are maintained and developed by local communities,
promoting the history and natural wildlife of the areas.
Mayo Shows the Way Forward
One of the most interesting sustainable projects in
recent years has been the development of the Great Western Greenway in county
Mayo which has became a template for the rest of the country to emulate.
This world class route (Westport - Achill) that opened in 2011 is a 43.5km
traffic free cycling and walking facility which follows closely the abandoned Great
Western Midlands Railway that closed in 1937. The project is coordinated
by Anne O’Connor walking and cycling development officer (probably Ireland’s
only such officer!) at Mayo County Council who has managed to achieve what was
thought impossible: the agreement of local landowners to allow permissive
access to the public to pass through their lands.
This route offers gentle gradients and some of the most idyllic scenery in the
west of Ireland. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network and it is
the longest off road cycling experience in the Country.
Transforming an abandoned Railway into a vibrant Greenway
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| Railway Bridge, Newport |
The Newport / Mulranny railway formed part of the once famous Westport
/ Achill Railway. This railway was one of the so-called ‘Balfour Lines’, called
after Arthur J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland During the years 1887-91,
who introduced the Light Railways (Ireland) Act which provided state assistance
for the construction of narrow gauge lines to disadvantaged areas such as West
Mayo. The first station on this extension was Newport which opened in February
1894, followed by Mullranny in August of the same year. The line to Achill was
completed in May 1895.
Individual towns and villages prospered with the arrival of the Great Western
and Midland Railway Company. The luxurious Great Western Hotel opened at Mullranny in 1897 and a combined rail and hotel ticket was available.
There were high hopes for its future and it proved to be a great social and
economic asset to West Mayo. Unfortunately traffic never consistently reached
the levels originally anticipated. Development of road traffic in the 1930’s
sealed the fate of the line. The last train ran in the autumn of 1937, only 42
years after the line had opened.
Today the section of the line between Newport and Mulranny with its fine
engineering structures, gentle gradients and outstanding scenery has been
converted into an off road walking and cycling route – a fitting reminder to
the glorious railway era.
Newport: A Cyclist’s Paradise
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| Blue Bicycle Tea Rooms, Newport |
The result is that Newport is the cyclists’ capital of Ireland. I was
pleasantly surprised at the economic vibrancy and civic pride that is flowing
through the town.
Restaurants,
bike rentals and lodgings are springing up to service this new transport market;
information signage is strategically placed; well maintained playgrounds parks
and walking routes are in situ; historical buildings and streets are being
tastefully spruced up.
Newport is surrounded by a lush countryside of oceanic
bays, lakes, rivers, mountains, wetlands and farmlands that the tourist can now
enjoy through by walking or cycling.
I noticed some families and groups hiring bikes from local renal shops
whilst others brought their own attached to motorized vehicles that they parked
near or in the town.
The Greenway is also becoming a popular destination for charities
organising fund-raising through cycling events.
Taking the Greenway from Newport to Mullraney. I met many families and
single older people on route that were truly enjoying the experience as the
terrain is almost entirely flat.
Upon completion, I left Newport with a nice feeling of satisfaction, knowing
that I had seen a benign future and thus inspired to re-double my efforts
working with others to put in place a Greenways network in Galway city.
