ICBAN NSMC Greenways & Blueways Information Seminar Thursday 30 April 2015

Irish Central Border Area Network  Formed in 1995  Local authority led cross-border development: five RoI and three NI members  Communities had much in common: similar issues needing common solutions Our Developing Role – Partnership; making acquaintances and networking 2001 – 2006 – Limited Company; intermediary funding body for INTERREG – INTERREG Lead Partner; Councils collaborating on projects ‘Regional Strategic Framework ‘ launch – Project innovation; Tap into wider funding streams; Promote Region’s Development

Celebrating 20 Years of Cross-Border Collaboration,  £50 million of EU funding drawn down  Excellent audit and governance performance  Implementation of first regional cross-border strategy on the island, the ‘RSF’  RTPI Planning Excellence Award 2014, for RSF  ‘DataCENTRAL’ information resource freely available  Playing a more involved role as an EU region  EU Information and Funding Portal  Stage 2 of the EU ‘Connected Communities’ call for Telecomms  Strategic Roads and Regional Telecommunications Studies

Greenways in Central Border Region SLNCR line: Sligo town – Ballintogher – Manorhamilton (Leitrim) – Blacklion (Cavan) – Enniskillen (Fermanagh): approx 57 km The Ulster Canal linking Erne system to Lough Neagh: Enniskillen (Fermanagh), Clones & Monaghan Town (Monaghan) and Blackwatertown (Armagh) & onto Lough Neagh: approx 93km. The Old Great Northern rail line: Enniskillen – Kesh –Pettigo – Belleek - Bundoran -Donegal Town: approx 75km. Other routes: Cavan Leitrim Railway Greenway, Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, Langfield (Omagh) to Donegal etc. Linkages North, South, East and West

Greenways / Blueways Connections in CBR

Promoting Connections – Border Uplands Building geo-tourism and recreation from UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark into Border Uplands area 19 trails (50km) varying in type, length and composition Fermanagh– upgrade of the Cuilcagh Mountain Path 10km Marble Arch Geopark cycle path 2 km In Cavan Burren 5km multi-access trail i.e. cycling. 2 driving routes of 20km in Leitrim In Sligo in excess of 12km of trails. Trail composition: compacted gravel, board walk to tarmac

Promoting Connections– Literary Festivals 2015

Delivering on our Region’s Needs Promoting concept of Regional Masterplan (as per “Regional Strategic Framework for Central Border Region” (RSF)) Cross-Border delivery of complex trail and connections projects Generating and promoting best practice examples (e.g. Westport, Rhine Valley) Joining-up developments: sustainable development, recreation, tourism, health & well-being, geology etc.