Western Greenway in Mayo wins Top EU Excellence Award

The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo has been named as the Irish winner of this year’s “European Destination of Excellence” (EDEN) award.

The theme of the 2011 competition was ‘Tourism and the Regeneration of Physical Sites’ and the Greenway was chosen following a comprehensive examination of a number of contenders including on-site assessments by a panel of expert adjudicators.   

The EDEN award is part of an EU-wide competition designed to encourage and promote a more sustainable form of tourism development.

The Greenway was announced as the ultimate winner last week following a shortlisting of finalists, which also included the Arigna Mining Experience, Co. Roscommon and the Lough Boora Lakelands, Co. Offaly.

Welcoming the accolade, Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Mr Michael Ring TD emphasised:

“The Great Western Greenway is a perfect example of the type of innovative project which this country needs for a sustained economic recovery. This project, which has crucially involved the local community in its development, is now generating extra visitors, revenues and jobs for County Mayo.”

As well as receiving the award of “Destination of Excellence 2011 – Tourism & the Regeneration of Physical Sites the Great Western Greenway will receive free marketing supports including a professional photo shoot for the destination to be used for promotional purposes and a grant of €5,000 for business development supports.

A  DVD will also be produced of the Greenway and its winning status will now grant it participation in an EU network of similar sites. 

About the Great Western Greenway

The Great Western Greenway opened in summer 2010 and is a 17.5 kilometre off-road trail that links Newport and Mulranny, Co Mayo by following the track of the famous Newport to Mulranny railway line which closed in 1937. Its development has been made possible with the agreement of local landowners who have allowed permissive access to users by passing through their lands.

Fáilte Ireland has invested €160,000 to date in developing the Greenway and has allocated a further €1.6m for a 24km extension, from Mulranny to Achill Sound on the northern end, and from Newport to Westport on the southern end of the current route.  The new sections are due to open in June 2011.

Image Description:  Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Michael Ring T.D., gets a helping hand from Lorraine Burns, our Senior Travel Advisor, Westport office, announcing the European Destination of Excellence winner.