An Economic Plan For The Barrow Blueway is Being Published Today.

It has been created in collaboration with the County Kildare LEADER Partnership, KCC and Waterways Ireland.

An Economic Plan for the Barrow Blueway has been published.

The Blueway is a 46 kilometre route, along the Grand Canal which runs from Lowtown/Robertstown to Athy, and veers in to parts of Laois.

Its a multi-use cycling and walking trail.

This economic report has been created by the Department of Rural and Community Development, in collaboration with County Kildare Leader Partnership, Kildare County Council and Waterways Ireland

The plan aims to "inform, guide and encourage community and business economic development initiatives that will maximise the opportunity the Blueway presents for Kildare while bringing the experience of the Blueway to life for local people and visitors to the area."

KIldare South Fine Gael TD, and Minister of State, Martin Heydon, joined Eoin Beatty on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today:

Minister Heather Humphreys says “I warmly welcome the publication of this economic plan for the Barrow Blueway, which has been largely funded by my Department’s LEADER programme. Projects like these will breathe new life into rural Ireland, boost visitor numbers and generate economic activity. In March, I launched ‘Our Rural Future’ – the most ambitious plan for Rural Ireland in decades. This kind of project represent the action behind that policy. I look forward to seeing the Barrow Blueway project progress and the benefits it will be bring to communities.”

 This plan maps the activities and services currently available along the 46km Barrow Blueway route, it identifies what is needed and makes recommendations for Blueway development, creating a coherent plan for all stakeholders to follow.

Pat Leogue General Manager, of County Kildare LEADER Partnership, ssays, “LEADER’s role in this plan has been to ensure that communities along the Barrow Blueway have the opportunity to gain from its development through not only social and recreational opportunities but also from the economic benefits that it will provide. .

Peter Carey, Chief Executive,Kildare County Council, said “ As the Local Authority we are committed to developing and delivering social, economic, and environmental growth.  The development of the Barrow Blueway as a quality visitor experience will deliver significant benefits for the local economy, Kildare’s tourism offering as well as the communities and citizens of Kildare.”

Andrew Nixon-King Director of Marketing & Development with Waterways Ireland stated “ Through its process of research and consultation, the plan has established what needs to be done to develop a sustainable and successful visitor economy associated with the Barrow Blueway. We thank the local business community for engaging with this process and we have been hugely encouraged by their passion, ingenuity, and enthusiasm. They have really embraced the opportunity presented by the Barrow Blueway”.

*Article up-dated to include interview with Minster Heydon.