The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-09 00:00:00

THE CENTRAL CONOMARA ROAD.

I have in former Reports given the reasons for
recommending to Government to grant aid towards
the completion of this line, even if the parallel por-
tion of coast-road should be suspended, and stated
also the terms under which it was let by contract.
The contractor has this season made considerable
progress, chiefly in the bridges; he has received
two instalments from the county-funds, and I trust
will be enabled to finish it creditably, though the
work seems likely to be delayed beyond the time
specified, viz. August 1829-
Various repairs were made along this line towards
Oughterard ; all the new part is at present in good
order, but the old portion would require some
amendment. Until the new contract line be ready
I found it absolutely necessary to preserve the com-
munication, to give some repair also to the old
bridleway from Shendela by Ballinahinch. The
portion next Clifden was improved some years ago,
and is under a county contract to Mr. D'Arcy. By
a short branch of good road made some years ago,
and lately repaired, the central road communicates
with the coast-line at the bridge over the Ballina-
hinch river, and thus gives access to the harbours of
Roundstone and Birterbay, and from this the new
coast-road is completed to Clifden, with the excep-
tion of the bridge aforesaid, the completing of which,

after much delay and disappotntment, I have now
let by contract.

The new line is also open from the same place to
the fishery-quay at Roundstone, where the village
mentioned in my last Report proceeds with consider-
able spirit. An extension of this line to the more
practicable part of the old road leading towards
Slyneltead is much wanted. I have had surveys
and estimates made for this purpose, but hitherto
made no arrangement for its execution. The coast-
line recommences at some distance north of Clifden,
and has received this season a general repair as far
as Cleggan pier and Dernyiaver pier on the north
shore of Ballynakill Bay; a portion of the county-
road has been put in order, and completes this to the
sea at Renoyle or Tully, where Mr. Blake has begun
a village or market-town that promises well. A
patent has been lately obtained for fairs and markets
at this place. The improvement near Clifden, men-
tioned in my Report of September last, has not
taken place, Mr. D'Arcy having declined taking it
at the estimate.

The connecting this road with that at the head
of the Killery, which is the subject of a memorial
from Mr. Blake, is a matter of great importance and
of some difficulty. At present the communication
is maintained by a hilly bridle-road, which can hardly
be passed by any carriage. As proposed in my let-
ter of September last, I have had the lines regularly
surveyed and estimated, and find that by Lough
Feo it would cost £.5,000 Ils.
By Kylemore
As either of these would make a very material ad-
dition to the sums already appropriated to this dis-
trict, I have not deemed it advisable to proceed fur-
ther with them until I receive the orders of Go-
vernment.

I find also that the widening and improving the
bridle-road from same place to Galway would cost
about 1,0001., I have therefore only directed this to
have a temporary repair until the preceding be
decided.