COMMUNITY endeavour is on the right track in O’Briensbridge where a group of local volunteers have worked hard to clear scrub from a popular Looped Walk.
A few months ago, the two kilometre walkway from the playground in O’Briensbridge had become so overgrown the gap between both sides had reduced down to about 12 inches in some places.
Scrub, briars and branches of trees were making it extremely difficult for two people to walk side by side, particularly any adult with a child’s buggy.
However, now the gap on this walkway is about five foot wide, which provides pedestrians with great comfort as they enjoy the splendid view of the River Shannon.
The surface of the walkway will be substantially improved over the coming week with the addition of black rolled crushed stone, which is very similar to tarmacadam.
In September 2019, Waterways Ireland had to close section of this walkway temporarily to repair two bridges that had fallen into bad disrepair.
When people stopped using the walkway for a period during the Covid-19 restrictions, it became overgrown and almost unusable.
John Slattery, who was the main organiser of the clearing work, recalled he got together with Jack Byrnes and Noel Enright to remove scrub from the first to the second arch.
An appeal on social media resulted in about six to eight people clearing overgrown grass and scrub for about two hours on six successive Tuesday nights.
Those who were actively involved on a regular basis included John Slattery, Paul Slattery, Noel Enright, Shane Kirwan, Jack Kirwan, T J Burns, Tommy O’ Brien, Des Tobin, Paul Nolan, Jack Byrnes, Shane Byrnes and Joe McArthur.
With phase one now completed, this group has started clearing bushes from O’Brienbridge to Parteen Weir as part of their plan for the second phase, while the third phase involves clearing any overgrown sections from Clonlara as far as the Erinagh Lough with the help of the Clonlara Development Group next year.
One man travels from Annacotty to use the walkway on a daily basis, which was originally developed by the late Mick Murtagh, a former O’Briensbridge Community Group chairman.
John Slattery praised the contribution of everyone who has participated in the walkway clearing since the first week in June.
“We had photographs of people walking and the grass was coming out against them. You couldn’t use the walkway on a wet day. The grass had grown about a foot and a half high and it was lying out on the walkway. The walkway was nearly closed. It would have been a pity to lose it.
“Now, two or three people can walk side-by-side and push a buggy if they want.
“It is great to have the support of Waterways Ireland who may use this walkway as part of the proposed Limerick to Scariff Greenway.”
He also wants to clear weeds and scrub from the stone wall that slops along the canal near the bridge, which has become overgrown.
The group is planning to conduct more clearance work on Saturdays for a number of weeks.
Years ago, he recalled if anyone stood on the bridge they could see this stone wall before it became covered in green vegetation.
Rural and community development officer, Seamus Murrihy and Arlene White from Clare Walks Limited helped members of the group to secure a €13,000 recreational grant.
Mr Murrihy visited O’Briensbridge recently where he inspected the work completed by the local volunteers.
Mr Slattery confirmed Waterways Ireland has pledged to work in co-operation with the group by assisting them in their community endeavours to complete repair work that they can’t do.
Waterways Ireland is prepared to refurbish the six information signs that have fallen into disrepair and to repair a section of the stone along the river bank that was cracked following a number of bad flooding incidents.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.