2017 Updates.
A special thanks to the IPB Community Engagement Fund 2016 who provided funding to enable us to complete our Blanemore Forest Walk project. In particular the funding towards the development of our Video and Audio documentaries and self-guide Smartphone apps - all of which are available to visitors (both virtual & physical!) free of charge.
Our plans to officially open the Blanemore Forest Walk were delayed by the discovery late in 2016 of an illegal dump, buried beneath a thin layer of peat, near the entrance gate. They were further complicated when the extent of the dump material was revealed in May 2017 while the Community Council CE scheme workers were clearing the rubbish. Thanks to the tremendous work by the CE scheme workers under John O'Malley working closely with Mayo County Council the material was sorted and removed (much of it by hand). Subsequent work of road improvement and landscaping was carried out by Pete and Brian Munnelly of Peter Munnelly and Sons Plant Hire, who made a superb finish. The CE scheme also laid a non-slip rubber mat surface on the wooden boardwalk under a Rural Recreation grant received by Coillte from Michael Ring, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development.
With assistance from Mayo County Council we have designed the walk with a series of informational displays, signs and route way markers. Thanks to the IPB Community Engagement Fund 2016, we developed a series of video and audio productions highlighting the archaeological and heritage sites at Blanemore Forest. We also integrated the digital guide book, audio & video productions with images of the walk, into our website and free self-guide smartphone app for both Android and iPhones.
Many thanks to who assisted and supported to make our walk a reality. It will be officially opened late Spring 2018.
