Carraig Airt to Na Dúnaibh Walkway officially opened by Minister Dara Calleary

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Published Wednesday 30th September 2026

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, last week (Thursday, 24 September 2026) officially opened a 1.5km shared pedestrian and cycle path connecting Carraig Airt (Carrigart) to na Dúnaibh (Downings) in County Donegal.
This new walkway received €500,000 in Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funding and provides a safe, dedicated off-road link for locals and visitors alike commuting or recreating between the two North Donegal villages.
Located in the townland of Ballyohagan, the walkway runs along the R248 regional road between Carraig Airt and na Dúnaibh. The works competed include integrated drainage improvements and safety fencing along the busy stretch of the R248.


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“I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge and celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Carrigart to Downings Walkway. This transformative project represents exactly the type of investment that ORIS was designed to support – creating safe, accessible and sustainable opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, while strengthening rural communities and enhancing the places where people live, work and visit.

“Projects such as this deliver benefits that extend far beyond the physical infrastructure itself. They improve road safety and encourage active travel and make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors.

“I would therefore like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Donegal County Council, the project team, local elected representatives, community groups including Moving Mevagh Forward, Carrigart and Downings Tidy Towns, local businesses, landowners, contractors and all those who contributed to bringing this important project from concept to completion.”
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland. Since 2020, funding in excess of €5.6 million has been awarded to Co. Donegal for 74 Projects.

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