Council support for Kille-mino

You’ve heard of the world-renowned Camino trail, the network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe. Now the community of Killeshandra is looking to develop a trek of their own, covering almost 30 kilometres, which will be launched later this month.

The first official walk on the route will take place on June 19, and the lakeside town hopes the picturesque walk will be a major tourist attraction.

The ‘Camino’ style walk received unanimous support at a recent meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District.

Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley said the walk would link back into the hugely popular Killykeen Forest Park.

“It’s a simple idea,” said Cllr Feeley, whose motion was supported by Independent Councillor Brendan Fay.

He said there was enormous scope to market the county for such walks, as well as linking in with other counties.

The Camino at Killeshandra follows in the footsteps of only two in existence in Ireland - in Kerry and Sligo.

“When Sligo opened, within the first two days, they estimate 150,000 had used it,” he said.

Senior Engineer for the area, Paul Mulligan, said the council fully supported and encouraged such initiatives.