by Eamonn Mac Dermott, Inishowen Independent
AMBITIOUS plans to link a network of walks
stretching from Derry to Malin Head have been put
forward by a former Met Éireann employee.
Brendan Flanagan, a native of Limerick who worked
for Met Éireann at Malin Head until 2001 and who now
lives in Inishowen, said the potential here was
"huge" and that a 'Sliabh Sneacht National Park'
should be established.
Mr Flanagan said: “What I am suggesting is similar
to what already exists in the likes of Kerry where
they don’t take over the land but instead they pay
local landowners to upgrade and maintain walking
tracks.
“This has the effect of bringing in income for the
landowners and ensuring we have a network of walks
stretching across Inishowen which would attract
tourists.”
“Any proposal to aid tourism within Inishowen should
be seriously considered,” added Fine Gael Cllr John
Ryan. “Eco-tourism is an increasingly important
facet of tourism and Inishowen is an ideal site to
develop this. It’s not particularly dependent on
good weather and we have spectacular scenery for
walkers to enjoy.
“When you look at how tourism is promoted in other
parts of the country Inishowen is losing out.
“I intend to meet with Mr Flanagan in the coming
weeks to discuss this proposal in the coming weeks
and bring that to national government,” Cllr Ryan
said.
“Hill walking is one of the fastest growing sectors
within tourism and my proposal would boost tourism
no end in this area.
“Inishowen is the natural hinterland and playground
for Derry but instead of having to get into their
cars and drive to Inishowen why shouldn’t people be
able to walk and experience all the glories of the
area.
“A lot of attention is paid to coastal regions but
the interior of Inishowen has a lot to offer.
“A walk starting at Muff up through Grainne’s Gap
brings you into the highlands of Inishowen and it
has spectacular views.”
Mr Flanagan added: “There already are some paths but
I am proposing tacking them all together into a
network and bringing the walks up to standard.
“Several years ago when I was in Kerry they were
doing a walk up Torc Mountain and they were actually
using helicopters to bring the materials up the
mountain. Then you come back here and there is
nothing.
“I had some friends up from Limerick recently and
they wanted to climb Sliabh Sneacht and there wasn’t
even a sign post telling them where they could
start.”
Mr. Flanagan continued: “My proposal would not cost
the earth but would bring considerable benefits to
this area.
“I was involved in Inishowen Development in the
1960s when, due to the situation in the North, a lot
of this sort of thing could not be done but things
have changed and there is no reason why with a
little effort and planning we could not make Sliabh
Sneacht and surrounding areas into a National Park
similar to what they have in Kerry.”
During the 1960s and the 1970s Brendan Flanagan was
active in Inishowen running the Inishowen Adult
Education School, which brought contributions from
people like Douglas Gageby, John Hume and Mícheál
Mac Liammoir among others. |
