Donegal County Council has been asked to seek funding for a car park at the Bridle Path entrance of Glenveagh National Park.
The popular path leads walkers and cyclists from the Gweebara/Glendowan side of the park to the castle and back.
However, the lack of car parking spaces at the entrance is causing road blockages, and at times, tourists have been prevented from visiting at all.
The current car parking area at the Bridle Path entrance to Glenveagh National Park
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly highlighted issues at the site during this week’s Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting.
Cllr Kelly pointed out that the road adjacent to the path is used often by people travelling between Glendowan to Doochary and Dungloe.
He said: “I think it’s a must that we put a car park there and that we explore every avenue to get funding for this.
“It’s a fabulous scenic route on our doorstep. The problem is there is room for maybe two cars. What is happening is cars are parking on the narrow roadside. On a few occasions, the road has been blocked where cars can’t get through.
“Tourists are coming and turning away again and we’re not getting the full potential that we could get.”
Cllr Kelly said that a car park will allow more people to enjoy the Bridle Path more, without rushing.
Following the passing of Cllr Kelly’s motion on Tuesday, David McIlwaine, Area Manager, Roads & Transportation recognised the parking issue and said that the council will speak with the OPW with the possibility of them developing a parking area at the location.
