Guest Post: A bit of a Greenway ...by Pat Walsh

 ** A Bit of a Greenway **

I joke.. Someone once said ‘A bit of a Greenway is better than no Greenway at all..’

On Thursday 7th March 2024 the first section of the Midleton – Youghal Greenway opened. You can now go 5 miles / 8km from the start point at the Train Station in Midleton as far as Mogeely village.

Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to see the complete route opened. They were working on this since January 2021.

“Through the grey light drift of the dust, in the keen cool rush of the air,

Under the flying white clouds, and the broad blue lift of the sky.”

I cycled on it yesterday and it was lovely. Bikes, scooters, walkers, dogs, buggies. Smiles and fresh air. Lovely place to get lost in your thoughts and relax. No diesel fumes, no car horns, no trucks. We need time in our life for places like this. Look at nature, listen to the sounds. Slow down.

There is a major discussion going on locally about whether it should have continued as a rail line to Youghal or not. I have my opinion but it is for other pages and forums and please don’t post here on that subject. I post here to encourage people to move, I cannot solve the infrastructure and political problems of this country.

What I want to post here, is another outdoor amenity for us to use. A place to run or cycle, bring children and let them roam safely, a place to drink coffee and chat. 

Who knows maybe some bold boy might put down a few paint markers and we could do some speed / interval training there sometime. 

I won’t miss stepping up and down from footpaths or tucking in on country roads when cars were passing. We all need these spaces and lots more of them. 

Wherever you are in the country get behind those that are trying to improve our leisure facilities. Once these facilities are provided make sure to use them.

Feel free to msg me if you need any details on how to get to this Greenway or any help in enjoying it. Let me know if you are ever down this direction and need some company.

So today the first official PWR 10mile Saturday Greenway Run, a few pints for the Irish Rugby win in Twickenham and I could go to bed a #HappyPat. #Hope

#PWR