‘We have the potential to draw tourists from all over the world’ Slane businesses ready for positive impact of greenways

Businesses in Slane are preparing to take advantage of the new Boyne Greenway and Blueway, when it’s completed in a few years time.

Those with existing businesses are gearing up to meet the increased demand from the expected huge growth in visitors to the area, while many others are preparing to launch new businesses when the time comes.

With local people and visitors already using parts of the greenway and the river for recreational purposes, a number of businesses already catering to that market are among those best placed to plan ahead to the future.

"It is a great opportunity for Slane. I am looking forward to the years ahead. This is only just the start for tourism in Sane," says Jim Marry, who operates Silly Sids food truck on the Banks of the Boyne.

David Buckley who runs Boyne Voyage Kayaking predicts the amenity will be great for all the businesses in Slane,"There will be an opportunity for those in business to expand and for new businesses to set up," he said.

The preferred route option for the Greenway and Blueway is expected to be identified in the coming months.

The proposed greenway will run from Bettystown to Navan and later to Trim and will connect Meath’s many tourist attractions with a cycling and walking route and a water navigation system.

Cllr Wayne Harding said the facility “has the potential to become one of the most important greenways in Ireland.

“It will draw tourists from all over the world."

Atkins Consulting Engineers are designing a route for the greenway and the restoration of the Boyne Navigation between Old bridge and Navan.

This would extend from the Cllr Andy Brennan Park in Navan to the main gates at the Oldbridge Estate, where it will link with the existing greenway facilities which provide a route onward to Drogheda. The Boyne Navigation will extend from the canal harbour in Navan Town to the Oldbridge Guard Lock.

Meanwhile, the section of the greenway between Drogheda and Mornington is progressing through the planning stage. Ultimately it is planned that the Greenway will to proceed on to Trim and then to the source of the Boyne in north Kildare.

"It is a very exciting time for Slane. We will have the Greenway and Blueway, but we will also have the Slane bypass, which will take the dangerous N2 out of Slane to be replaced by a pedestrian and cycle route off the greenway," said Cllr Harding. "The planning application will be lodged this year."

"This will be a gamechanger for Slane and the north east and for tourism in the north east.

"Another big bonus is that we will have the rail line to Navan, as well as to Drogheda bringing people to the Greenway."

In fact, Cllr Harding believes efforts should be made to link both Navan and Drogheda by rail, as the rail line is still there.

" There could be a park and ride at Beauparc that could service Slane and a station in Duleek that would service Donore."

“This area has so much going for it - the best concentrations of historic and heritage sites in the world, including Brú na Bóinne - a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Battle of the Boyne site the Hill of Slane and Slane Castle."

Cllr Harding said councillors had travelled with CEO Jackie Maguire to Waterford to see the Greenway there and it had transformed Dungarvan and villages along its route.

Jim Marry enjoys brisk business at his food truck on the banks of the river at Slane.

"We are there most days during the summer and every weekend all year round. We have a second truck and we are really looking forward to taking advantage of everything the Greenway will offer. There are so many opportunities."

Jim also runs the food business in the Village Inn and is expecting it will only get busier when the Greenway is up and running.

"We are looking forward to making the most of it."

David Buckley operates his kayaking business out of Rock Farm on the banks of the Boyne. "We are very busy with local families in particular, but business falls off when the children are at school. I am really looking forward to catering for the tourists when the Greenway is comlete. It will be great to see the whole place very busy and so many people using the greenway.

"It be will be great for us, but also for all buinesses in the area and there will be so many opportunities for others to start up new businesses," said.

Cllr Harding believes we could take a lesson from history, as documented by Oscar Wilde's father, William Wilde, who writing in 1849 recommended traveling the River Boyne.

Wilde is credited with rediscovering the potential of the Boyne walk over 170 years ago when he made frequent excursions along the river by barge.

At the turn of the century the motorboat Ros-na-Righ provided a service from Oldbridge, lunch was provided at the Boyneville Hotel, Slane (The Mill House today) and onto The Ramparts at Navan. A speedier return could then be made by train.

A shorter outing was provided by leaving the train at Beauparc Station and walking to Slane via the riverside path beneath the Maiden Rock. This route had no stiles to impede the passage of the elderly.

Whole-day excursions were arranged in the summer months by the Great Northern Railway (GNR). Coaches met the Dublin, Belfast and Oldcastle trains at Drogheda for visits to Oldbridge, Mellifont, Slane and Monasterboice.