Dowra would benefit from opening Lough Allen Navigation

With the development of outdoor facilities, walks and lakes proving very popular at present, Cllr John Paul Feeley brought a pertinent motion before a virtual meeting of the Cavan Belturbet Municipal District last week.

He’s calling on the Chief Executive of waterways Ireland to progress plans to extend the navigation of Lough Allen up towards Dowra.

Cllr Feeley said those plans indicated there would be three moorings provided - one at Spenser Harbour outside Drumkeerin, another in Ballinaglara and a third North of Lough Allen near Dowra.

Two of those have been constructed and it was recently announced that additional work had been carried out at one of those sites, Spenser Harbour.

“The reality is that none of the two that have been put in place are anywhere near a village and the number of boats coming onto Lough Allen are not what they should be, because there is no destination of any description,” said Cllr Feeley.

“Unfortunately at the time an application was lodged for planning to Leitrim County Council and was approved. It then ended up in An Bord Pleanála, went through all the rigours of that and unfortunately was turned down,” he added.

Cllr Feeley said that Waterways Ireland indicated that there were three net issues and, at the time, money was provided to upgrade the road.

“There were various studies done and consultation took place with statutory bodies and then, unfortunately, we had a change in economic circumstances in the county and there was no capital funding available to progress it,” continued Cllr Feeley of the background.

“Things have moved on sufficiently I believe for this matter to be re-opened. It would be hugely important for Dowra as the first village on the Shannon to have a connection with that navigation. We are not looking for something massive or unreasonable. We are looking to bring the navigation within a kilometer or so of the village,” he contended.

“It would require Leitrim County Council to complete the link with lighting and a footpath. It would then mean that, when people bring their boats onto Lough Allen, they would have a place to visit and access shops and pubs when they are open again,” Cllr Feeley further explained.

He pointed out that Cavan County Council had been most proactive in recent years with particular reference to the refurbishment of the Courthouse and having it utilised.

“This would be a way of further utilising what we have invested in already and building on that and this could be linked in with the Geopark developments and the Cavan Way,” added the West Cavan representative.

“I think this project has suffered from the fact that it is not just one local authority that is responsible for the village of Dowra. This particular project might not have the same priority for our neighbours, as for ourselves. Frankly, there is a vested interest in keeping people in Drumshanbo, which has seen a significant spin-off from activities from the Shannon Erne and what took place at Acres lake when a floating board walk was put in place. Very good work was achieved in building and using that infrastructure,” he said.

Cllr Feeley asked that the Municipal District put the case to the new Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland.

“There should be capital funding available now and people can see the importance of outdoor activities and having this type of infrastructure in place,” he concluded.

Cllr Peter McVitty (FG) supported the motion and pointed out that, if this project was progressed, it would make a massive difference to the village of Dowra. He urged Cavan County Council to push the progression of this project as hard as it can.

Cllr Sean Smith (FF) said the project would not demand a huge investment by any standards. “It is something which would be of huge benefit to the area and hopefully, courtesy of the motion, it can be expedited as fast as possible,” he remarked.

The motion was also supported by Cllr Patricia Walsh who pointed that there have been great efforts to offer excellent outdoor facilities, and when restrictions ease, people will be encouraged to get out and enjoy such natural resources.

The chairman Brendan Fay said that there has been a rebranding of West Cavan and the many aspect of the Geopark facilities have caught the imagination of visitors and this project would also be a wonderful addition to the attractions in the area. Cllr Madeleine Argue (FG) also supported the motion.

Responding, Cllr Paul Feeley said: “We are not looking for them to do the impossible, such as bringing boats up to the Shannon Pot.

“It is not an insurmountable hurdle and it would make a massive difference to Dowra”.