THE local community in Carraig Airt agus Na Dúnaibh has been praised for its vision and persistence in progressing recreational and community projects within the area.
And strengthening the area’s appeal as a place to live, visit and enjoy is the opening of a new walkway between Carraig Airt and Na Dúnaibh.
The official opening by Minister Dara Calleary was celebrated in true Donegal fashion, with a wet and blustery day doing little to dampen the enthusiasm of all who gathered to mark the occasion.
Deputy Calleary, Minister for Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht was joined by Deputy Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Senator Niall Blaney and members of Donegal County Council including the Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford MD Cllr Pauric McGarvey along with Cllr Liam Blaney and Cllr Declan Meehan.
Minister Dara Calleary accompanied by the Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Cllr Pauric McGarvey and Director of Services, Donegal County Council, Eamonn Brown on the newly opened walkway.
This new Phase 1 of the Carraig Airt-Na Dúnaibh walkway represents a significant investment in local outdoor recreation infrastructure and reflects a long-standing ambition to improve walking connections between Carraig Airt agus Na Dúnaibh.
It will also create new opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s outstanding landscape.
This project also complements the considerable work undertaken in recent years by local communities supported by Donegal County Council and relevant organisations to enhance recreational infrastructure.
Welcoming all those to the official opening Cllr McGarvey expressed his gratitude to those involved.
‘Today is about much more than opening a new section of walkway,” he said.
“it is about celebrating the hard work, the community spirit and the willingness that this community have invested to work together in partnership to get a job done.
“In recent years, this community has set up a Town Team and have successfully progressed and delivered a number of projects to improve their village, bringing the community together and providing services and amenities for the hundreds of visitors that flock to this beach during the summer.
“The steps to the beach are now open, an application has been submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the new changing facilities at the beach, and the summer festivals have been hugely well attended.”
The walkway was delivered with the financial support of €500,000 provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, through the 2022 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Measure 3.
Minister Dara Calleary cuts the tape to mark the official opening of the Carraig Airt to Na Dúnaibh Walkway, along with various public representatives, council staff, local landowners and members of the community.
Minister Dara Calleary accompanied by the Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Cllr Pauric McGarvey and Director of Services at Donegal County Council, Eamonn Brown on the newly opened walkway.