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Big response to Castlefreke walkers' plan for footpaths

December 12th, 2018 5:50 PM

By Southern Star Team

The new footpath along the ‘Avenue' in Castlefreke Woods will enhance the safety of walkers.

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Almost €8,000 has been raised in a single week by a community association for new footpaths in Castlefreke Woods.

ALMOST €8,000 has been raised in a single week by a community association for new footpaths in Castlefreke Woods.

Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks, based in Rathbarry and the surrounding area, launching a fundraising drive to help pay for new footpaths and have so far raised the impressive sum. 

Locals need to contribute 15% of the overall cost of €105,000 as part of the council works which are funded under the Community Involvement Scheme. 

The association that campaigns to keep the woods in public ownership – undertook to raise half of the community contribution, while Rathbarry Tidy Towns committed to raising the other half. The Castlefreke group was overwhelmed by the response of its members and supporters to its GoFundMe online appeal, and also collected an equal amount in cash donations. 

Dominic Carroll, chairperson of Castlefreke Our Woods Our Walks, expressed gratitude to all contributors. ‘The response has been fantastic and shows the power of a community pulling together,’ he said.

Under the scheme, Cork County Council will build a footpath along the Avenue (L8025) in Castlefreke Woods and another footpath adjacent to Long Strand (R598). This second footpath will connect with the Coillte footpath leading to Kilkeran Lake, thereby creating a continuous path around Castlefreke Woods, Long Strand and Kilkeran Lake. 

Mr Carroll added: ‘The new footpaths along the Avenue and Long Strand will be an enormous improvement to this superb public recreation area, and – as importantly – will enhance the safety of walkers.’

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