If they can get the Quiet Man Greenway over the line, it will breathe economic revival into the area. It would also showcase a stunning part of the country to visitors from home and abroad.
Support for the new Quiet Man Greenway is growing as local communities become more familiar with the economic benefits, Minister Ciaran Cannon has said.
He has pointed to the support growing among the ranks of local representatives as proof the greenway plan continues to edge forward.
Galway County Council has taken steps that bring a feasibility study on the project closer; an important boost for the proposal.
And just last Monday Tuam Municipal District and Athenry-Oranmore Municipal District unanimously supported the project.
Furthermore, thousands of people turned out in Tuam last month at a public rally aimed at demonstrating support for the project within the local community.
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Greenways are now seen as an essential tool, especially in the regions, when it comes to marketing areas as a tourism destination.
And greenways like the project that has been a runaway success in Waterford have brought domestic and international visitors into areas, helping the local economy.
"In a matter of a little more than three days the very many supporters of the Quiet Man Greenway have had many reasons to rejoice,” said Minister Ciaran Cannon.
“(That began) with the move by the Galway County Council's executive to seek funding specifically for the greenway route from Athenry to Milltown.
“And on Monday, Tuam Municipal District voted unanimously in favour of the route. Athenry-Oranmore Municipal District has also given overwhelming support.
"We have a duty to future generations in East Galway and we cannot take that risk.
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"I encourage those who still doubt the Greenway's potential to look at the Greenways that are already in place around Ireland and look at the testimony of the local people and businesses benefitting tenfold."
The Quiet Man project has been impacted but what might be best term as a local tug of war between those in favour of the project and those who want rail services developed in north Galway instead.
John Wayne arrives into Ballyglunin railway station, or Castletown as it was called in The Quiet Man...
But Cannon, who has been to the forefront of pushing cycling in Ireland, believes as awareness grows around the proposed greenway, so too does support for it.
The new greenway extension project would run for 45km along the Athenry-Tuam-Milltown rail line.
It has been dubbed ‘the Quiet Man greenway; because it runs through Ballyglunin railway station, which was made famous by The Quiet Man movie.
Some of those who have been opposed to it believe rail infrastructure some come before the greenway. And they want a restoration of train services between Athenry and Claremorris as part of the Western Rail Corridor.
Last month Galway County Council voted against carrying out a feasibility study on the proposed greenway extension.
Councillors instead opted to support a motion calling for a study on all possible greenway projects across the county of Galway.
That move was seen as a setback. It meant while the county council failed, by one vote, to edge forward the Quiet Man Greenway project, they showed their support for trying to develop greenways generally in the county.
However, last week the Galway County Council said it was now seeking funding for a feasibility study on both the Quiet Man Greenway and further work on the Connemara Greenway.
The two applications to be submitted under the Government’s National Greenway Strategy.
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