The 5.5km Ballyconnell-to-Bellaheady Recreational Trail, a partnership venture between Cavan County Council and Waterways Ireland, was officially opened last Friday (25 March).

On hand for the launch were Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys with Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Clifford Kelly and Waterways Ireland chief executive John McDonagh, among others.

The new 5.5km trail along the banks of the Woodford River on the Shannon-Erne Waterway also provides connectivity to the existing Woodford Village Walk, a key amenity in the UNESCO Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.

The project, which will ultimately form part of a broader 54km greenway along the old Cavan-to-Leitrim railway line, received €684,289 in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

Additional match funding was provided by Cavan County Council and Waterways Ireland.

Welcoming the opening of the new trail, Cllr Kelly said: “This trail is a wonderful addition to our local tourism product and enhances one of our greatest resources – our stunning natural landscape and our abundant waterways.

“Every 1,000 tourists that visit Cavan help support 14 jobs. The tourism and hospitality sector employs some 3,200 people in Co Cavan and projects such as this will contribute greatly to the recovery and future growth of the sector in the coming months and years”.

In addition to today’s opening, Cavan County Council’s Paddy Connaughton noted that work has recently completed on a second recreational trail along this route: a 6km trail from Belturbet to Corraquil, which was also funded through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme to the value of €500,000.

For more information on the Shannon-Erne Blueway, visit bluewaysireland.org. For more on things to do and places to stay in Co Cavan, visit thisiscavan.ie.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels of issues affecting navigation on the Shannon-Erne Waterway this week.

Following Storm Franklin, the Woodford River was completely blocked to navigation by two partially submerged fallen trees immediately upstream of Old Aghalane Bridge.

In addition, there are high-water levels in all areas of the waterway. Masters should consult with the water patrollers prior to undertaking a passage.

The by-pass current across the navigation on the lower side of Lock 15 is strong and could affect low powered vessels.

Air draft under bridges has been reduced as a result of the high-water levels and masters of craft are advised to navigate with additional caution in the vicinity of bridges.

Elsewhere, users of the Royal Canal towpath in the Maynooth area are advised that the section from Lock 13 at Deey Bridge to Pike Bridge east of Maynooth has been closed due to flooding from a blocked culvert.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it is working with Kildare County Council to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologises to users for any inconvenience this may cause.