Popular North Galway trail set for expansion

One of the best known walking trails in North Galway is going to be enhanced following a visit by a Government minister last weekend.

The walking trail up and down Knockma near Castlehackett attracts hundreds of visitors every weekend. A lot use it during the week for training purposes.

The hill is quite steep and is used by runners, dog owners and those who are interested in personal fitness. There are those who just use it as a walking challenge.

Now there are plans to purchase part of the top of the hill from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to develop further recreational services at the free facility.

It means that the many committed walkers from areas like Tuam, Belclare, Corofin, Caherlistrane and Headford will enjoy increased facilities on the medieval hill.

Galway East TD Paul Connaughton Jnr believes that this part of the upper hill can be purchased to provide walking enthusiasts throughout County Galway enhanced walking amenities on Knockma.

“If a portion of land at the top of the 170 metre hill is purchased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service it will serve local communities for many years to come.

“The purchase involves developing walking facilities on Knockma and in recent years efforts have been made to have the NPWS purchase private lands on the hill to ensure better access to the ancient site for members of the public.

“Recently Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, visited Knockma at my invitation and met with members of the local committee who have been working on this project for many years.

“The local committee is anxious that the National Parks and Wildlife Service would purchase land on the top of Knockma which would help complete this fantastic tourist attraction.

The 170 metre hill is associated in mythology with both Queen Maeve and the Finnavara, King of the Connacht fairies.

Walkers and heritage enthusiasts travel to Knockma from all over the county and province due to the fantastic walking trail currently available and it is Deputy Connaughton’s belief that the purchase of this land will finish off this fantastic project.

“I have been working with the local community council for a number of years on this project and know from meeting with Minister Humphreys again this week that she was very impressed.

“This was with both by the walking trail and scenic views from Knockma and also the hard work and commitment of the local people who met her on the day.

“I will be contacting the Minister on a weekly basis with a view to progressing this project and hope that officials from her office will make a visit to Knockma,” Deputy Connaughton added.