OPENING OF CLEIGHRAN MORE, LOUGH ALLEN AND LAUNCH OF LOUGH ALLEN FESTIVAL

The Cleighran More Harbour near Ballinaglera in Co. Leitrim on the east shore of Lough Allen will be officially opened by Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs at 2.00pm on Friday 03 June 2005.

The Cleighran More Harbour project which was carried out by Waterways Ireland, commenced in May 2004 and was funded as part of the National Development Plan at a cost of approximately €500,000. The project involved the replacement of the old jetties which were unprotected and open to the lake winds generated across Lough Allen and the building of a new breakwater protection to shield moored craft from the wave action generated by the prevailing south west winds across the lake. The new jetties accommodate 16 craft. The project also included a new car park and new access from the road to facilitate access for emergency services.

The Opening also marks the launch of the inaugural Lough Allen Festival which offers a varied line-up of activities to cater for all ages including The National Free Style Windsurfing Competition, complimentary boat trips on Lough Allen, Raft Challenges and Kayak and Windsurfing taster sessions, all sponsored by Waterways Ireland. The Festival is being promoted by the Ballinaglera-Boho Tourism Partnership, the cross-border ecotourism initiative.

Waterways Ireland is the North/South implementation body responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways, including the Shannon Navigation, principally for recreational purposes.

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Further information from:

Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications,
Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412, or
Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 44 28 66346203.

Date: 30.05.2005
PR050016