Official lighting up ceremony marks opening of new walkway in Tipperary

A new lighting system has been installed at the Community Walkway in Grange allowing both the access road and the walkway itself to be used much later during the winter months. New tarmac on the access road also means the walkway is more user friendly for people with buggies, wheelchair users and walkers in general.

The official Lighting-Up Celebration took place on Bank Holiday Monday, February 5. A sponsored 6km walk, starting from the Walkway was the focus of the day and was greatly supported by the local community.

In particular the children from Grange School, under the guidance of Principal Richard Carroll and staff, had been practising ‘1k Every Day’ around the Walkway for the month of January. They were fit and ready to take on the 6km with ease!

A large project like this takes a lot of commitment, organising and funding. Project managed by Tomás Ó Slatara and John Costigan, the committee of Grange Development Association took up the challenge. Much-appreciated South Tipperary Development Company Leader and Council grants were secured, plans were drawn up and planning permission obtained.
GS Electrical, Cashel were contracted to do the work and the entire process took just six months to complete by December 2023.

Additional support was provided by the Board of Management of Grange School. Private donations were welcomed as well as the proceeds of the sponsored walk which has currently reached over €8,000.

At a presentation to Grange committee and South Tipperary Development company at the new Grange Walkway on Bank Holiday Monday, February 5 were: Standing: John Phelan, Noreen Doheny, John Doheny, Mick Mullane, Gerard Liston, Liam Ahearn, John Costigan, Don Keating, Richard Carroll (Principal, Grange National Schol), Michael Fitzgerald, Ann Fitzgerald, Senator Garret Ahearn. Seated: Fiona Rea (chairperson, Grange Development Association), Sara Bourke (South Tipperary Development Company), Eoin Wolahan (Chair, Local Community Development Committee), Marie Cox (Community & Rural Development, Tipperary County Council), Tomás Ó Slatara. PIC: MICHAEL BOLAND

We are very grateful to our neighbours Coolmore, who presented the committee with an extremely generous donation of €5,000 on the day which will help cover the outstanding costs for the project. Coolmore Stud were represented at the event by John Casey and Mairéad Cronin.

The Lighting-Up Celebration was attended by the GDA Committee, representatives of South Tipperary Development Company and Tipperary Co. Council. Public representatives who gave great support to the project, Senator Garret Ahearn, FG who is vice-chairperson of the GDA, Cllr. Micheál Anglim, FF and Cllr. Marie Murphy, FG also attended along with parents, children and many others from the Grange community. The Community Walkway was blessed by Fr. Michael Toomey PP and Fr Bernard Frawley. The official Lighting-Up Ceremony was performed by Guest of Honour, Liam Ahearn.

Upon completion of their 6km walk the happy walkers were treated to delicious refreshments in Grange Hall, provided by Grange School Parents’ Association and many local volunteers. A great and successful day was enjoyed by one and all!