Elderly residents of Roscommon to be celebrated at special sod turning event at new river facility

A number of elderly residents in County Roscommon who are in their 90th year and over have been invited to turn the sod at a new slipway and fishing jetty along the banks of the River Suck at Dundermott, Ballymoe, County Roscommon.

The new facility aims to enhance the potential of the River Suck as a water sports facility.

Local Councillor Anthony Waldron said inviting some of Roscommon's most senior citizens to the event was a way of celebrating their contribution to the county.

"The River Suck is a natural amenity for walking and watersports and it is also a beautiful setting.

"We have invited the elderly people of the parish and community to come along on Friday and turn the sod on the new development.

"These people worked very hard and they made an incredible contribution to the community.

"These people have sacrificed so much for their families and communities and we thank them for the Ireland and Roscommon that we have today.

"These are the people who helped shape the future to what we have now so it is only right that they be acknowledged.

"We are very proud of our people and our senior citizens," said Cllr Waldron.

Work on the new inlet began this week and it is expected to take a number of weeks to complete.

Cllr Waldron said Friday is an exciting day as it paths the way for future developments in Roscommon.

"We all see the potential that the River Suck has and water sports are growing in popularity all of the time.

"It is great to have an extra facility and we will continue to work on developing on other inlets on the River Suck too.

"People will be able to go from the first inlet at Shankoagh up to Shannon Bridge in County Offaly so it will be a big boost to all the small villages along the way," said Cllr Waldron.

Cllr Waldron said the council is working hard to make the area more attractive in order to attract more tourism and companies to the county.

"It is a well known fact that with foreign direct investment, companies look at what the area has to offer because they want staff retention and worker satisfaction.

"House prices are reasonable and there are lots people who want to return to Roscommon if they could find suitable work so we want to make it a better place for everyone," concluded Cllr Waldron.