Thursday morning 28th November last was a big day for us here in Monaghan local authorities: we opened the first section of the Ulster Canal Greenway!

Section 1 is 1.7km long and runs from the Coolshannagh roundabout all the way in to Old Cross Square.

The Greenway was opened by Minister Alan Kelly TD, Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, with assistance from the Town Cathaoirleach Paul McGeown, the County Mayor, Sean Conlon, TDs Heather Humphreys and Sean Conlan, chair of Monaghan Tidy Towns Cheryl Connolly, Deputy Manager Paul Clifford, and a host of cycling and canal enthusiasts.

Section 2, which runs from Old Cross Square to the Threemilehouse Road, will open in spring 2014. Work is already underway on the pre-development phase for a Phase II of the Greenway, running from Monaghan to Clones.