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Marble Arch Global Geopark Interpretative Centre underway in Blacklion

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed commencement of work on the extension of the Market House in Blacklion to become the main Interpretive Centre for the UNESCO Marble Arch Global Geopark.

‘A great deal of work has been done by Cavan County Council and Killinagh Community Council to get this project to this stage, firstly to secure the Market House for public use and to develop plans to extend the premises for use as an Interpretative Centre for the Geopark.’

The two storey extension will include audio-visual displays, information panelling and will also extend the existing tourist information centre and gift shop which has been operated by Killinagh Community Council for the last number of years.

‘This project has involved close cooperation between Cavan County Council and Killinagh Community Development Ltd. Cavan County Council has been responsible for the design work, the tendering process and will supervise construction. Both have made a substantial financial contribution to the project with the bulk of the approximately € 200,000 to be spend on this project. In bringing the project to this stage, John Branigan Senior Engineer and Jack Keyes, County Manager I ager and John Toland of Cavan Monaghan LEADER have played a key role. As Secretary of Killinagh Community Development Limited and as the local councillor I thank them for their work todate.’

‘This project will made the Geopark much more concrete for the local community and hopefully increase the number of visitors coming to Blacklion and using the area as a base for exploring the Geopark. Visitor numbers continue to grow and it is hoped that they will grow dramatically in the coming years,’ Concluded Councillor Feeley.

It is hoped that the building will be ready for use by the end of this year

Market House Works

Lorraine Teevan Photography

Cavan Burren Contracts Signed; an investment in the future

Fianna Fáil County Councillor, John Paul Feeley welcomed the signing of contracts between Cavan County Council and P & S Limited for works at the Cavan Burren. The work will involve the construction of an unmanned interpretative centre, toilet blocks, picnic area and walks at the Cavan Burren site outside Blacklion.

‘The investment in excess of €900,000 will make the Cavan Burren much more accessible to the general public. The signing of these contracts, opening up this historic and unique geological and archaeological site, a huge spend on the site is an investment in the future.’

The on-going development of the Cavan Burren site has been made possible by a partnership arrangement between Coillte Teoranta and Cavan County Council, leasing the main sites in the Burren and the surrounding areas to Cavan County Council who have worked with other funding agencies to secure the financial resources needed. This project is funded under the Border Uplands Programme by ICBAN under the INTEREG 4A Programme.

‘The Cavan Burren and the Marble Arch Caves are the two lynchpins in the UNESCO designated Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, the first cross border geopark in the world. Opening up this site is vital. Already the site attracts substantial members of visitors and it is expected that the further development will make the site physically more accessible but the additional signage and interpretative panels will allow the site become more understandable also.’

In addition to the building, an improved roadway, suitable for buses and cars, a substantial carpark and walkways totally over 6kms, 1km of which will be fully accessible to all users.  In addition the site links into the Cavan Way and a number of other looped walks recently developed under the Harnessing Natural Resources Programme.

‘Bill Murphy and Eugene Griffin of Coillte have worked very closely with John Branigan, Derry Scanlon and Eoin Doyle, Director of Services for Cavan County Council to bring this project to fruition. I congratulate them on the work and wish the contracts, P & S Limited well as they set about implementing the plans. We must now push on with the project of developing the Geopark to its full potential, this investment is key to that.’

The plans are very sensitive to the site which is of huge significance. Within the site are five designated National Monuments together with over 80 sites of archaeological sites all in a setting of international geological importance.

‘There have been many delays along the way in bringing this project to the present level. Whilst funding 12.5% matching funding has been in place in this jurisdiction for over three years the remaining funding from the Stormont Executive took longer to put in place. County Manager, Jack Keyes has played a major role in this project and I thank him for his work.’

With contractors on site, all working under the supervision of Coillte, the County Council and archaeologists and geologists to ensure the sites are protected it is expected that work will be completed within six months.

Sectional Opening of the N3 Belturbet By-Pass will make the journey easier

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed the opening of the bulk of the Beltubet By-Pass on the N3.
‘Given the weekend that this is, many hundreds of buses and cars will be leaving West Cavan and Donegal heading for Croke Park. This new road will remove the need to go through the Town of Beltubet and will be a welcome reduction in journey times for all those who use the N3.’
Following the recent completion of works at the River Erne Bridge, N3 Belturbet Bypass between Staghall Roundabout and Drumalure the contractors were able to hand over the road to Cavan County Council this making it available for use from today Friday 2nd August 2013 from 1pm.
This section of road will remove the heavy N3 traffic volumes from the streets of Belturbet in time for the Festival of the Erne taking place in the town this Bank Holiday weekend as well as accommodate the large crowds travelling from West Cavan and Donegal to Croke Park this Sunday 4th August.
‘Of course Belturbet will still be an ideal stopping point on the N3 and access and parking in the town will be easier with the reduced levels of traffic. I urge road users to continue to break the journey in Belturbet.’
The final section of the small section of the By-Pass will be open in Spring 2014 concluded Councillor Feeley.

Third Level Students should act now on Grant Applications

West Cavan County Councillor, John Paul Feeley urged those hoping to attend Third Level Courses in the coming year for the first time to log on to the SUSI website urgently and submit their applications via that website before 1st August.

‘The few months between Leaving Certificate and heading off for college are an exciting time for students and their families. It can also be a stressful time from a financial point of view for parents in particular. I urge students, if they have not already done so, to get their applications lodged with SUSI as a matter of urgency.’

Councillor Feeley noted that the application scheme has been open for some considerable time. The process is substantially done on-line.

‘The debacle that was the introduction of the SUSI centralised system last year has caused great concern to many people. Even today we have applicants from 2012 who have not yet had their applications finalised. That is a scandalous and unacceptable situation which demonstrates the folly that was centralising the entire third level system.’

Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that the removal of local input was a backward step but urged people to move urgently to insure that there application are in the system and should have all of the supplementary documentation needed ready for submission in early course.

Councillor Feeley reminded those who are in receipt of grants already from other agencies and who are continuing on the same course should contact that authority to ensure there grant application are in order and that payments will continue in the coming academic year.