I was delighted to be present today in Portumna to mark the commencement of works of 2 significant tourism and navigation projects. The sod was turned on the re-development of Connaught Harbour while at Portumna Bridge the commencement of construction of a Blueway cycle and pedestrian trail linking Castle and Connaught Harbour was also marked.

The Connaught Harbour re-development project, which is part funded by Fáilte Ireland and stems from the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and Lough Derg VEDP. The development consists of a new eight-berth marina at Connaught Harbour, incorporating a boat pump-out, with new car parking area and ancillary services, while quay wall berthing for 22 boats along with car parking and a civic area will be developed at the bridge yard end of Connaught Harbour also. This will be facilitated by the removal of three buildings on the site. Footpaths will be repaired, where required, and a new road crossing will be developed connecting to the new Blueway. The project is expected to be open to the public in mid-2023.