Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus visited the site alongside Patricia Ryan TD and Cllr Noel Connolly to see first-hand how the Umeras Community Development Group is transitioning the bog into a key tourist attraction for the region.
Eddie Smith from the Group welcomed the government representatives to the area, providing a detailed tour and outlining the vision for the project.
Speaking following the visit, MacManus said: "The Peatlands Park would be a unique tourist attraction that would particularly appeal to people with an interest in nature, wildlife and biodiversity. Eddie outlined their vision for bog walks, cycle trails and unique nature areas, while still preserving the small area of community turf cutting.
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"With the Barrow Blueway and the Church of Oak Distillery nearby the Peatlands Park would become a vital part of a tourism hub in the Monasterevin and Rathdangan area, attracting day-trippers from locality as well as tourists from across Ireland and abroad.
"This would provide a boost to employment in the local area, not only through construction and maintenance jobs at the site, but also through spin-off benefits for local hospitality and retail businesses in particular. The success of Lough Boora Park in County Offaly demonstrates the potential of this project in creating sustainable employment for years to come in the local area."
MacManus also praised the project as a "fantastic example of what a real just transition looks like" and showing how a bog can be repurposed so that it continues to benefit the local community.
