Sun shines down as Minister Humphreys opens link to Clara Bog Life Project

Thw sun shone brightly in Clara last Wednesday, May 31, for the official opening by Minister Heather Humphreys of the link to Clara Bog Life Project.

The 450 metre walkway, stretches from the visitor centre in Clara town to the Clara bog nature reserve. It was funded to the tune of €72,000, by the the Minister's Rural and Community Development Department.

Minister Humphreys was welcomed to Clara by the Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Councillor Frank Moran, who said the aim of the county council is to create a town centre that is ''a vibrant and attractive location for people to live work and visit while also serving as a social cultural and recreational hub for the local community.''

Speaking about the link-way, Cllr Moran said the improved accessibility will allow visitors to have a safe route from the Clara bog visitor centre in the town to the Clara bog nature reserve - ''a living bog which is a unique experience.''

The Clara based councillor commended the work carried out by John Connelly, Senior Executive Engineer with Offaly County Council, and his team. He also thanked the local residents and landowners for their support of the project and Healy and Sons who delivered it.

''It has brought about positive changes and immense benefits to the users of the bog walk and residents within the area. The positive impact of these improvements will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.'' he said. He thanked Minister Humphreys for ''the many supports provided to Clara town over the past number of years.''

Minister Humphreys thanked Cllr Moran and the Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Cllr Neil Feighery. She conveyed the apologies of Deputy Barry Cowen who couldn't be there as he was caught up in other business, she said.

''I'm delighted to be here to launch the link to the Clara Living Bog Project, this trail received, €72,000 under my department's outdoor recreation scheme. It's going to connect the Clara bog Visitor Centre and it really is a lovely centre,'' she added.

''This trail is so important in terms of providing access for locals and tourists alike to some of the finest examples of our natural wildlife. It provides safe walking and cycling links between the Clara bog visitor centre and the nature reserve. It's going to be an ideal location to visit for tourists, for school children and for nature enthusiasts,'' said the Minister.

''Rural Ireland is changing there is a sense of hope, there is optimism. I'm from rural Ireland myself and I have to say when I go around counties like Offaly here, it gives me an opportunity to celebrate with you your achievements, because what we have been trying to do here is to help you realise your vision and your ambition for your areas. So it really is a great pleasure when I see what's happening on the ground and the good news is we haven't all the money spent yet so there is more to come,'' she said.

The Minister encouraged local groups to work collaboratively with their councillors and Oireachtas members. She said locals know what is needed to make their area a better place. ''Get your applications into my Department and we will support you in every way that we can,'' she encouraged.

''It's about making rural Ireland a better place to live work raise a family and invest. Remote working is here to stay. Covid changed a lot of things, we discovered all these wonderful outdoor amenities that we didn't know existed,'' said the Minister.

''We have been able to enhance them and we are all using them. It's great to get out and clear the head and get that walk or get on the bicycle and have a cycle.

''You have so much to offer, you have your canals here in Offaly, you have your wonderful bogs and you have the many many natural amenities,'' she concluded.

''I'm delighted that Anna Marie Delaney (Chief Executive of Offaly County Council) is here and the assistant General Secretary of my department Vincent O' Brien.

Also there were representatives of Bord na Mona along with members of Clara Heritage Group and Clara Tidy Towns Association.