Sugar factory holiday resort and Blueway by Knockbeg suggested by Laois Councillor 

A Councillor wants a Blueway path from Athy to Graiguecullen and the possibility of an attraction like Center Parcs resort explored at the old sugar factory in Carlow. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran raised the issue when she asked in a motion “that Laois County Council give an update of the progress regarding the Blueway from Athy to Graiguecullen.”

In response, Senior Executive Engineer, Tom Drennan, said:  “Waterways Ireland sought planning permission for a Blueway between Lowtown Co Kildare and St Mullins Co Carlow in 2017. Permission was granted for the section of Blueway along the Grand Canal Barrow Line only. Waterways Ireland currently have no plans for the delivery of a Blueway from Athy to Graiguecullen. Waterway Ireland, along with Failte Ireland and the Local Authorities are developing a Barrow Tourism Masterplan for the river Barrow and its environs. Work on this plan will commence by year end.”   

Cllr Moran said she wasn’t happy with the response. She told Mr Drennan that she had been looking for the Blueway for the past six years. She said there had been “objections from the Carlow side that said they didn’t want it” and stated that there is already a “bound surface” along the track. 

She described the walk along the track by Knockbeg and the old sugar factory as “one of the nicest walks that you can do” and she reminded the meeting that she had previously suggested attracting a Center Parcs style resort to the sugar factory. 

She said having a walkway and resort would bring huge benefits to the area and she said she believes Laois County Council are not doing enough to promote Blueways. “Kildare has five blueways now,” she pointed out. 

“I just don’t think we are taking the initiative on board…I am saying now we really need to be fighting hard for this,” said Cllr Moran. 

She took issue with recent comments like those of Fine Gael TD Willie Aird, who had criticised the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders(CPO) for Blueway and Greenway projects. She said she didn’t agree with the politician’s statement and she pointed out the benefits for health and mental health from outdoor facilities. 

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She asked Laois County Council to actively pursue the Blueway and to talk to Greencore about the sugar factory site. She said there was a big site left idle when they closed. “We should be looking to do something from a tourism point of view,” said Cllr Moran. 

The motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.