Construction work has commenced on the new Coolaney Mountain Bike Trail in Co Sligo.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, officially turned the sod on the development.

The project secured €1.34 million funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

Fine Gael TD for Sligo – Leitrim and Assistant Government Whip, Tony McLoughlin, welcomed the news.

He said: "This trail is going to be a major asset in attracting tourism to Sligo in the years to come.

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"Coolaney is a 10 minute drive from Sligo town and is an excellent location for the National Mountain Bike Trail Centre, a world class facility that when fully complete will consist of 80km of cycling trail and related facilities.

"It will be a flagship recreational amenity attracting domestic and overseas visitors, of all capabilities, to the region.

"The Outdoor Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government's Action Plan for rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure, in rural areas across Ireland.

"I know that further phases of this project are planned in order to complete the trails system," Deputy McLoughlin concluded.

(CM/MH)