Cloonlarge Biodiversity Celebrated in Kilteevan

_{Members of Kilteevan Tidy Towns celebrating Cloonlarge  Joe Fox, David Gibbons, Eileen Fahey,  Mattie Murphy  and Sean Mooney.                                                Photos Gerard O Loughlin} 

At the recent celebrations of a successful year for Kilteevan Tidy Towns Chairperson Eileen Fahey outlined the success and achievements of the local group.

In her address, she highlighted the Runner Up Award in the Tidy Towns Sustainable Development category for the development of Cloonlarge Loop Walk.

The award, she stated gave the group a major boost in confidence leading them to apply for funding for further developments on the walking route. Funding was received from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Pilot Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2018.

The funding allowed for the reopening of an old bog road, a Loop Walk Brochure was published and a sign in bearing a map and information in relation to Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation was installed. Other actions highlighting the Cloonlarge Loop included a 2019 calendar, postcards and greeting cards, designed to raise awareness about the rich and unique biodiversity in the area.

These are available in Roscommon Tourist Office and other outlets around the town.

Eileen Fahey thanked the residents of Kilteevan for their total, caring support.

She thanked Niall Cribbon in his capacity as District Conservation Officer (Peatlands) with National Parks and Wildlife Service for all his support.

Special tribute was paid to Laura Gallagher Conservation Ranger, South Roscommon NPWS who worked tirelessly to support Kilteevan Tidy Towns in 2018. Eileen stated that the work carried out could not have achieved without Laura’s support, guidance and expertise.

_{Laura Gallagher NPWS, Eileen Fahey Kilteevan Tidy Towns, Kathleen Shanagher Leas Cathaoirleach Roscommmon Co Council and Cllr Orla Leyden} 

Thanks was also extended also to all the staff of Roscommon Co Council who supported Kilteevan in so many ways in the past few years as the Cloonlarge Loop developed.

Roscommon People and Roscommon Herald were also thanked for promoting and supporting Tidy Towns events.

Finally, Eileen stated that plans were being drafted both short and long term to continue the development of the Cloonlarge Loop Walk. She extended a sincere thanks to everyone who supported the recent Coffee Morning.                                                                                                     December 2018