Visiting MEPs Impressed by Waterford Greenway
On a fine sunny morning last Thursday, a delegation of six MEPs including Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune, paid a visit to Waterford Greenway as part of their recent mission to Ireland. The group also included delegation chair, Wim Van de Camp (Netherlands), Maria Grapini (Romania), Lucy Anderson (UK), Roberts Zile (Latvia) and Jill Evans (UK), as well as support staff.
The group was officially welcomed to Waterford and to Waterford Greenway by Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Pat Nugent and Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council Mr. Michael Walsh.
Cllr. Nugent said he was delighted to welcome the group to Waterford Greenway and told of how ‘the development of the Greenway has been an example of the impact that Local Authorities working in collaboration with communities can have and though there were many challenges which had to be overcome during the Greenway’s development, it’s legacy will be felt for many years to come’.
As the European delegation made their way by foot and by bike along Waterford Greenway they visited landmarks such as Durrow and Ballyvoyle Viaducts, Durrow Tunnel and soaked in breathtaking views over Dungarvan Bay across towards Helvick Head.
The visitors were visibly impressed with what has been achieved in developing an amenity and visitor attraction of national importance.
Ms. Clune, remarked that how ‘on a beautiful morning on Waterford Greenway….. (the Greenway) is a perfect example of how investment in tourism products in rural areas can provide economic and social benefits for those communities’.
Following the groups brief tour of Waterford Greenway in the company of Garvan Cummins, ‘The Greenway Man’, the delegation was welcomed back to O’Mahony’s of Durrow with a warm cup of tea and traditional home baking by proprietors, Tom and Helen O’Mahony, who laid on the perfect ‘Waterford Welcome’ for our guests.
Although it was a brief visit, the group undoubtedly left Waterford and Waterford Greenway with happy memories. They also left in the knowledge that support given and investment in facilities such as Waterford Greenway in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, can make such a positive impact on the local economy and our communities.
Visit www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com for more details on Waterford Greenway.
