Lake boardwalk plan to boost north Meath tourism
Proposals for a boardwalk on Whitewood Lake at Kilmainhamwood could mean a major tourism boost for the area, as well as a wonderful local amenity.
A group of local people have come together in a bid to develop the amenity, which would link up with the Navan/Kingscourt Greenway.
The proposed boardwalk would start at the carpark at Whitewood Lake, run approximately 40 metres adjacent to the edge of the lake and join the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway on the other side of the lake.
It would float on the lake and be similar to the boardwalk on the very popular Acres Lake at Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim.
“What a fantastic amenity for Kilmainhamwood and surrounding area this would be,” says Cllr Eugene Cassidy.
“It would be a fantastic attraction in its own right, but it would bring people from the Greenway into the village of Kilmainhamwood,” he said.
John Keogan, a member of the Whitewood Lake Boardwalk Committee said it would be a major addition to Kilmainhamwood and the surrounding area.
“We intend to push on with the project and we are hopeful of bringing it to fruition.”
Mr Keogan who is also a member of the Kilmainhamwood Amenity Development Association, which is responsible for the retirement village, said it would also be a major benefit to the retirement facility.
The Boardwalk Committee are hoping to bring the project through the planning process and believe it can be funded under the 'Rural Regeneration Programme '.
A lot of work has already been done to progress this.
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems Ltd, who designed and built the Leitrim facility have been appointed to draw up detailed drawings for the planning application.
Cllr Cassidy said they are in discussions with the owners of the lake, in order to submit a planning application and there will be ecological studies, as part of the application.
“This boardwalk would not only be a brilliant addition to the greenway but would be a phenomenal attraction in its own right,” he said.
“Whitewood lake is not only Meath's biggest lake but its most beautiful. Imagine the pleasure and excitement this would give people in the area to have this fantastic amenity on their doorstep.
“It will form part of a walk/cycle loop in Kilmainhamwood that is connected to the Navan/Kingscourt greenaway.... this would be the jewel in the crown of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway,” he said.
“It would be 800m long, along the waters edge and would have no impact on fishing or boating on the lake.
“We are at the early stages of this proposal, but it would be an amazing amenity for the people of the area and for visitors using the Greenway.
“Work on the Greenway is continuing and the parts that are already open are extremely popular.
“We are expecting a joint application from Meath and Cavan county councils next year to finish the Nobber to Kingscourt section of the railway,” said Cllr Cassidy.
Links from the Greenway to Nobber, Castletown and Wilkinstown, have already been completed and work is underway on the Wilkinstown to Navan stretch of the Greenway.