THE GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL.IRELANDS FIRST PLANNED GREENWAY.

Description

Way back in the late 1980s a voluntary group was formed to save the old west limerick/north kerry railway trackbed and as the word greenway never existed back then the name given to the project was the Great southern trail.Trail being an American term for rail trails very popular in America.The Committe after many years of opposition to the proposed trail from limerick to tralee against all odds managed to secure the path of the old railway line and depending on church gate collections from parishes along the trail created Irelands first planned greenway in the 90s an age friendly walking trail which went from rathkeale to abbeyfeale in west limerick and after many decades handed over a shovel ready project to limerick council in 2016 and after much investment its now one of irelands finest Greenways The limerick greenway.The great southern trail committe mostly now pensioners never got any recognition for such an age friendly project and deserve such in their golden years.

Aim of Initiative

To give a new lease of life to an abandoned railway line suitable for young and also age friendly people as a walking cycling amenity.

Who is it aimed at

EVERYONE YOUNG AND OLD.

3 Steps critical to success

1. SECURE RAILWAY FORMATION TRACKBED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS FROM REVERTING BACK TO FARMLAND.
2. GET A LICENCE FROM CIE TO DEVELOP THE RAILWAY TRACKBED AS A WALKWAY/CYCLEWAY.
3. CLEAR AWAY OVERGROWN VEGETATION FROM TRACKBED.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. CIE WANTED TO HAND BACK THE RAILWAY FORMATION TO THE AJOINING LANDOWNERS.
2. FUNDRAISING THE PROJECT.
3. CONVINCING THE AJOINING LANDOWNERS THAT IT WAS A WORTHY PROJECT.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. FUNDS RAISED TO DEVELOP THE PROJECT .
2. CONTRACTOR PUT IN PLACE TO CLEAR AWAY YEARS OF OVERGROWN TTRACKED OF BUSHES AND RUBBLE AND PUT DRAINAGE AND ROLLED LIMESTONE IN PLACE TO SURFACE THE TRACKBED TO MAKE IT AGE AND USER FRIENDLY.
3. OFFICIAL OPENING AND RECOGNITION OF GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL.