Girley Bog lands bought for loop walk

Land in Girley Bog has been bought by the Native Woodland Trust and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for a loop walk, Jimmy Deenihan, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced today.

Situated south of Kells, Girley Bog covers over 250 acres and is one of the finest bogs in the east of Ireland.

Minister Deenihan said: “The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has worked locally with a number of organisations such as Meath County Council and Coillte, as well as the local community, to help develop Girley Bog for the benefit of both the local community and conservation generally. As a keen walker myself I am always very pleased to see more looped walks being developed, as there is a growing interest in this recreational activity.   As we all know, walking is great exercise but also allows people to enjoy our beautiful landscape” .

There is now a 6km looped walk (one of the National Trails Offices 'looped walks') in place, providing a great amenity for the area and an attraction for visitors to the area. This demonstrates the potential benefits from conservation projects to local communities, including to the local economy.

“The purchase of these lands, and the development of this walking trail, is welcome news and I commend the efforts of both the Native Woodland Trust and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council,” added the minister.