Cloonlarge Loop Kilteevan"An Oasis of Peace and Calm”

 Kilteevan Tidy Towns Committee has announced that after months of hard work, recent developments on Cloonlarge Loop, are officially completed. The project involved the installation of a Bilingual Trail Map, Way Markers and Information Signs. It also included a small recycled plastic deck with a Story Time Chair and a small library and art box for children and adults.

This project was funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2019. The scheme was developed to encourage local peatland communities to engage in the conservation and revitalisation of Special Areas of Conservation

The Deck was officially opened by 90-year-old Mattie Murphy and 5 month old Alex Neilan.

Members of Kilteevan Tidy Towns, and the agencies involved gathered together on the deck recently to review the end product. Speaking at the gathering, Eileen Fahey, Chairperson Kilteevan Tidy Towns, stated that success like this could not be achieved without the dedication and hard work of Kilteevan Tidy Towns volunteers. 

“Our committee is very proud of the fact that The Cloonlarge Loop won a Runner -Up Award in 2018 and 2^nd place in 2019 in the Tidy Towns Special Awards Section for Sustainable Development” 

Eileen acknowledged the funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and the support of the staff at the Peatlands Management Unit in Wexford. The group’s membership of the Community Wetlands Forum was highlighted as being most beneficial in building confidence and learning.

She thanked the O’Brien, family for Knockcroghery for consenting  to the development in memory of their parents the late Hubert and Elizabeth O Brien.

_{Pictured above with the group Batty and Joan O' Brien Knockcroghery}

Great credit was given to Conor Dolan, Paddy Garvey and Patrick Garvey for transforming an ambitious Tidy Towns vision into reality.

Eileen paid special tribute to Laura Gallagher, Conservation Ranger, National Parks and Wildlife Service for her outstanding positive support and advice.

Also thanked for their support, advice and commitment were;

John Mockler, Roscommon Municipal District Coordinator

Eimear Dowd, Tourism Officer, Roscommon Co Council

Eilish Canty, Rural Recreation Development Officer, Roscommon LEADER Partnership

Cathryn Hannon, Regional Manager NPWS

Niall Cribbon, District Conservation Officer (Peatlands)NPWS   

Eileen Fahey pointed out that through the co-operative efforts of Kilteevan Tidy Towns, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Roscommon Co Council, Roscommon LEADER Partnership Company and the local community, new life has been breathed into Cloonlarge boglands. The Loop is now a very popular 5km walk and cycle enjoyed by many locals, families and visitors.  

The ultimate compliment was paid to our work when a local bride and groom came to the Cloonlarge Loop for wedding photographs. A recent walker described the Loop “an oasis of peace and calm”. This is exactly what we wanted to create Eileen stated.

Pictured above

Interagency support for Kilteevan Tidy Towns on the Cloonlarge Loop L/R

Niall Cribbon, District Conservation Officer (Peatlands)National Parks and Wildlife Service, Marguerite Croghan, Secretary Kilteevan Tidy Towns, Eimear Dowd, Tourism Officer, Roscommon Co Council, Eilish Canty, Rural Recreation Development Officer, Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Cathryn Hannon, Regional Manager, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Laura Gallagher, Conservation Ranger, National Parks and Wildlife Service, John Mockler, Roscommon Municipal District Coordinator.

February 5th 2020