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Manchester-based Mayo native Peter Mylett has been busy singing the praises of the Western Greenway since he penned a song in its honour last year. Peter has been associated with the music scene across in England for several years but he is especially proud of the latest addition to his repertoire.
On a visit home to Newport in the summer of 2017, he called to Mayo County Councillor Michael Holmes down Mulranny way to find out who came up with the idea of developing the Great Western Greenway. Peter learned that in the mid-2000s the idea of the Greenway cycle and pedestrian track was formulated by a group of county council engineers who had a vision regarding its construction mainly along the track of the old Westport to Achill railway line that ceased service in 1937.
When the plan was progressed and with backing from Government and Fáilte Ireland, the landowners were approached and the vast majority agreed that the Great Western Greenway should go ahead.
The first phase from Newport to Mulranny opened in 2010. Other sections were later added from Mulranny to Achill Sound and Newport to Westport with the result that the Greenway from Westport to Achill is now 26 miles long.
It opened at a time when there was a major downturn in the economy and the recession was hitting hard all over the country. It soon became clear that the region had a real winner in attracting visitors. The scenic beauty of the region and the tranquil countryside won rave reviews. Recent years have seen a huge surge in people using the Greenway with many coming from all parts of the country as well as overseas.
It has created over 200 extra jobs for the cafés, restaurants, hotels, cycle hire and extra taxis required in the adjacent towns and villages to cope with the demand.
The background to the development and the subsequent amazing success of the venture inspired Peter to use his instinctive knowledge of his home area and help with the promotion of the region by composing The Greenway Song.
“It was a labour of love to bring this song and video to fruition. We had great fun recording the video and I think this is very much reflected in the good nature, joy and humour that radiates from it. I have been getting a great response to it and the song has been picking up a lot of airplay on radio stations throughout Ireland and the UK and is being well received by all age groups,” says Peter.
The Greenway Song can be downloaded on Spotify, Amazon and iTunes and the video, which has featured on a number of shows on the Keep It Country TV channel on Sky 376 in recent months, can be viewed on Youtube by searching “Peter Mylett - The Greenway Song”.
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