'It just opens up the town...' Cafe society set to flourish with new bridge opening

“It’s a win-win for everybody. It’s great for business, but on the community side of things, I think it’s class,” said Blair Clinton as the ribbon was cut on the new Blackwater River Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge just beside his Chekhov’s On The Green cafe.

His Balmoral estate coffee shop which opened in 2024 looks set to thrive with the addition of the new bridge.

In a clever piece of marketing Chekhov’s OTG - the new sister cafe the popular Trimgate Street eaterie - is already plugging the 5km, three laps, door to door loop, encouraging visitors to reward a run or walk with some healthy treats before and after.

“I think it just opens up the town, as well as the connection and community it brings. You can come down this way, get a coffee and we have outdoor seating areas for visitors to enjoy… It’s going to be great.

“You look at the park, anytime, during a day of wind, rain, everything, there are always people walking in the park. People love to get out into the fresh air.”

Another key part of Chekhov’s operations, Mary Kavanagh, was delighted to see such transformation in a part of Navan she described as previously being a “dead zone”.

“I’m from Navan, lived here all my life, this area is kind of coming to life now. It could be fantastic - it’s a long time coming.”

She also revealed that there will be a change of approach from Chekhov’s in response to the new access given to this part of the town.

“We’re going to be open late at night on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays till 9pm. We’re going to open the hatch here and serve milkshakes, ice creams. It’s going to be great to have that kind of footfall coming down. It’s opened up this whole area, it looks really impressive.”

(Left) Conor Quigley, a 70-year-old cyclist, is very impressed with the new bridge, complimenting the attention to detail with the perfectly designed handrails that are ‘just the right height’.