— Greenway funding part of Government’s €360 million per year for walking and cycling.
— Full list of greenways to be funded.
Funding of around €60 million is being allocated to 40 greenway projects in 2022 “in nearly every single county”, according to the Department of Transport.
The Department said that the €60 million in funding for greenways is part of the “commitment to invest €360 million per year in active travel over the lifetime of the Government.” Further funding covering active travel for both urban and rural areas is to be announced by the Department and the National Transport Authority in the new year.
The funding comes alongside the publication of the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, which aims to help with issues between councils and landowners. The central issue is offering a structured alternative to Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), which farming groups have objected to being used for greenways.
The working group on the Code of Practice included Government Departments, State agencies and farmer’s organisations.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the state body which looks after national roads, light rail, and greenways outside of cities, said: “The Code of Best Practice provides comprehensive information for landowner/property owners, project promoters and other stakeholders.”
“Securing the cooperation of Landowner/Property owners and acquiring lands by voluntary agreements was inherent throughout the development of the code,” said TII.
Tim Cullinan, president of the IFA, a farming organisation, also welcomed the Code of Practice. He said: “A key part of the Code is a new Sustainability Payment — once-off goodwill payment for early-sign on and co-operation — to each farmer, on top of the full value of any land acquired for a greenway as part of a voluntary land acquisition agreement process.”
Cullinan added: “The farmer’s statutory rights are fully protected if they participate in this voluntary process. They still have full access to mediation and arbitration if there is no agreement on the valuation of the land and compensation for other impacts on their farms.”
In a press release on the funding, Minister Ryan said: “This funding will also support extensions of the Grand Canal Greenway in Offaly, Kildare and South Dublin, link the North Kerry Greenway to the Limerick Greenway, and join the Waterford to New Ross Greenway with the Waterford Greenway. We are moving into a new and exciting phase when more and more Greenways are being connected, with TII also developing a National Cycle Network.”
“I’m particularly happy that agreement has been reached on a Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways. This Code has been agreed with the farming representative bodies and other stakeholders and provides us with an approved way to achieve voluntary land sales for Greenways where needed. Community buy-in is central to the future of our Greenways, which are one of the big success stories of rural Ireland. Greenways are a wonderful amenity for leisure and tourism, and they are also important for everyday journeys to school, work or the shops,” said Minister Ryan.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said “The Galway to Dublin Greenway, a 330km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin, linking the Atlantic coast to the East coast, has a particularly exciting focus in the funding being announced today. Counties including Meath, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly will benefit from investment towards this project. Once complete, the Dublin-Galway project will provide both a local and national amenity for communities and visitors to enjoy while also supporting local business such as cafés, shops, B&Bs, camping sites and hotels.”
She added: “As a Minister based in the West of Ireland, I am also very pleased to see the Connemara Greenway receive a strong funding allocation of over €3 million in 2022. This funding includes the routes between Clifden to Recess (€1.9 million), Galway to Moycullen (€600k) and Derrygimlagh-Clifden-Kylemore Abbey (€550k). I very much look forward to cycling this route, some of which is due to be completed in the second half of next year.”
Projects funded within the €60 (sorted by project stage)
Improvement Works / Ancillary Works
| County | Name of Greenway | Section of the Greenway | No of Kms (Indicative for early Phases of projects) | Allocation for 2022 | Estimated Completion Date |
| Waterford | Waterford Greenway | Improvement Works | 46 | €400,000 | Q1 2022 |
| Meath | Royal Canal – Dublin to Galway | Section of the Royal Canal in Meath | 21.3 | €14,000 | Q1 2022 |
| Limerick | Great Southern Greenway (Refurbishment) | Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale | 40 | €3,000,000 | Q1 2023 |
| Longford | Mid Shannon Wilderness Greenway (Refurbishment) | Section 4 – Corlea Bog (Corlea to Edera) | 11 | €600,000 | Q1 2022 |
| Kildare | Royal Canal – Dublin to Galway | Dublin to Galway – Section 2 Maynooth to Westmeath Border -Subsection 5 – Cloncurry to Spin Bridge (includes Ferns lock) and Subsection 7 Chambers Bridge to Maynooth Harbour | 2.6 | €95,000 | Q2 2022 |
| Offaly | Grand Canal Greenway | Kilbeggan Link Ancilliary Works | N/A | €250,000 | TBD |
| Offaly | Grand Canal Greenway | Leabeg to Boora | N/A | €753,000 | TBD |
Projects under Construction
| Galway | Connemara Greenway | Clifden to Recess | 9.42 | €1,900,000 | Q3 2022 |
| Cork | MY Greenway | Midleton to Youghal | 23 | €4,500,000 | Q1 2023 It is anticipated that there may be potential to open sections of the Greenway on a phased basis to facilitate public access in advance of completion of the overall scheme. |
| Wexford | South Eastern Greenway | Waterford to New Ross | 24.32 | €4,000,000 | Q4 2023 |
| Kerry | North Kerry Greenway | Tralee to Fenit | 10.66 | €2,500,000 | Q1 2022 |
| Kerry | North Kerry Greenway | Listowel to Limerick Border | 10.5 | €2,500,000 | Q1 2022 |
| Mayo | Clew Bay Greenway | Achill Sound and extension to Bunnacurry | 13.5 | €1,900,000 | Q1 2023 |
| Offaly/Waterways | Grand Canal Greenway | Daingean (Molesworth Bridge) to Tullamore (Digby Bridge) and Henesy’s Bridge to Turraun | 20 | €200,000 | Q4 2021: bulk of work. Q1/Q2 2022: enhancements in Ballycommon and delivery of Pollgh to Henesys north bank will likely be pushed out due to complexity/Part 8. |
| TII | Dublin to Galway | Whitelands to Athlone Castle, Athlone Castle to Galway | N/A | €7,000,000 | Q3 2021: construction Whitegates to Athlone Marina. Q2 2023, Construction Cycleway Bridge. |
| TII | Dublin to Galway | Whitelands to Athlone Castle, Athlone Castle to Galway (Retention Monies) | N/A | €100,000 | As above. |
| Meath | Boyne Greenway & Navigation Scheme | Boyne Valley to Lakelands (Additional construction sections) | TBD | €500,000 | TBD |
Projects with Planning Permission – Next PSC Stage Gate 3
| Kildare/Waterways | Grand Canal Greenway | Aylmer Bridge to Sallins | 11 | €1,500,000 | Q3 – 2022 |
| South Dublin Co.Co. | Grand Canal | 12th Lock to Hazelhatch Bridge | 4.57 | €1,300,000 | Q3/4 2022 |
Projects in Planning Application – Next PSC Stage Gate 2
| Kerry | South Kerry Greenway | Stages 2 &3 – Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen | 27.7 | €1,500,000 | TBD |
Projects at Concept, Feasibility and Route Selection – Next PSC Stage Gate 1
| Wicklow | – | Greystones to Wicklow | 20 | €350,000 | |
| Donegal | Carrigans to Castlefinn Greenway | link between Castlefin and the Foyle Valley Greenway | 28.5 | €800,000 | TBD |
| Offaly | Shannon Monastic Greenway | Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly – Athlone, Co. Westmeath | 28 | €15,000 | TBD |
| TII | Dublin to Galway | Galway to Athlone | TBD | €1,500,000 | TBD |
| Wicklow | Blessington E-Greenway | Blessington Lake Loop | 28.7 | €5,000,000 | Q4 2023. |
| Sligo | Sligo Greenway | Bellaghy, Co. Sligo (Charlestown, Co. Mayo) – Collooney, Co. Sligo | 35.5 | €50,000 | TBD |
| Kildare | Grand Canal Greenway | Sallins Bridge -Clonkeen (Border with County Offaly | 27.5 | €95,000 | TBD |
| Kerry | South Kerry Greenway | Stage 1 – Cahersiveen to Reenard Pt | 4.2 | €200,000 | TBD |
| Longford | Mid Shannon Wilderness Greenway | Kilnacarrow Bridge – Darogue/Ballymacormack | 65.9 | €150,000 | TBD |
| Limerick and Clare (Waterways Irl) | Limerick to Scarriff | Black Bridge, River Shannon, Limerick. ( E:560,775, N:658,634. ) – Scarriff Town Square, County Clare. | 41 | €70,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | Limerick to Scarriff | Limerick (UL) to Montpelier | 26 | €200,000 | TBD |
| Louth | Dundalk Bay Greenway | Dundalk – Templetown | TBD | €250,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | UL Loop | UL to Montpelier via Castleconnell | TBD | €200,000 | TBD |
| Louth | Carlingford Lough Greenway | Tourist Office, Carlingford – Templetown Beach | 12.3 | €120,000 | TBD |
| Cavan | Cavan Railway Greenway | Cavan Town -Ulster Canal Greenway north of Castle Saunderson AND with a link to the Cavan – Leitrim Greenway at Belturbet | 38.8 | €150,000 | TBD |
| Roscommon | Lough Ree Greenway (JT) | Ballyleague/Lanesborough to Tarmonbarry/Strokestown/Roosky (Just Transition) | 68 | €145,000 | TBD |
| Monaghan | Ulster Canal Greenway | Smithboro – Clones | 14 | €150,000 | TBD |
| Leitrim | Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway | Sligo Town – Blacklion, Co. Cavan | 57 | €1,000,000 | TBD |
| Clare | West Clare Railway Greenway | Ennis – Kilkee | 20 | €500,000 | TBD |
| Offaly | Grand Canal to Old Rail Trail Cycleway Link | Grand Canal Greenway at Ballycommon (Tullamore) to the Old Rail Trail Greenway and the Dublin-Galway Eurovelo Route 2 via Kilbeggan, the River Brosna, Lilliput (Lough Ennell) and Mullingar. | 26 | €25,000 | TBD |
| Fingal | Fingal Coastal Way | Newbridge Demesne, Donabate- Fingal county boundary, north of Balbriggan | 32 | €350,000 | TBD |
| Meath | Boyne Greenway & Navigation Scheme | Oldbridge Estate Entrance – Navan | 26.5 | €100,000 | TBD |
| Tipperary | Clonmel to Carrick on Suir Greenway (Suir Blueway) | Gas house bridge, Clonmel -Suir Island, Clonmel | 1 | €250,000 | TBD |
| Galway | Connemara Greenway | Galway to Moycullen | 12 | €600,000 | TBD |
| Mayo | Clew Bay Greenway | Belclare to Murrisk | TBD | €500,000 | TBD |
| Offaly | Lough Derg Greenway | Killina to Killina School Link | TBD | €80,000 | TBD |
| Galway Co.Co | Connemara Greenway | Derrrygimlagh -(8km) Clifden -Kylemore Abbey(17km) | 25 | €550,000 | TBD |
| Roscommon | Lough Ree Greenway | Tarmonbarry to Athlone – revised to Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesborough (May 2021) | 68 | €1,300,000 | TBD |
Projects at Scope, Pre-Appraisal, Feasibility, etc – Next PSC Stage Gate 0
| Donegal | – | Barnesmore Gap Greenway | 28 | €50,000 | TBD |
| Carlow | Barrow Valley Greenway | Bagenalstown -Palace East | 38.8 | €60,000 | TBD |
| Roscommon | Lough Key to Carrick on Shannon | TBD, connection to Boyle to be examined. | TBD | €250,000 | TBD |
| Clare | West Clare Railway Greenway | Ennis to Ennistymon | TBD | €200,000 | TBD |
| Clare | West Clare Railway Greenway | Ennistymon to Milltown Malbay | TBD | €50,000 | TBD |
| Clare | West Clare Railway Greenway | Milltown Malbay to Moyasta | TBD | €50,000 | TBD |
| Clare | Shannon Greenway | Shannon to Bunratty & Onto Limerick | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Cork – County | West Cork Greenway | Cork to Schull | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Cork – County | South Cork Greenway | Cork to Kinsale | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Cork – County | – | Charleville to Cork | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Cork – County | Lee to Sea Greenway | Macroom-Dripsey-Farran | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | Limerick Greenway | Ballingarrane to Patrickswell | TBD | €50,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | Limerick Greenway | Patrickswell to Colbert Station | TBD | €50,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | – | Patrickswell to Charleville | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Waterford City and Co. Co. | Suir Blueway | Waterford Greenway Link (Carrick on Suir to Kilmeaden) | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Tipperary | Suir Blueway | Marlfield to Cahir (Marlfield Village to Swiss Cottages) | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Tipperary | Lough Derg Greenway | Ballina to Dromineer | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Tipperary | Cashel to Cahir Greenway | Cashel to Cahir Town | TBD | €90,000 | TBD |
| Limerick | Limerick Greenway | Rathkeale to Ballingarrane | TBD | €50,000 | TBD |
| Cork – County | Mallow to Dungarvan Greenway | Mallow – Cork/Waterford Border (near Ballyduff) | 39.15 | €250,000 | TBD |
| Donegal | Inishowen Greenway | Muff -Quigleys | Point 8 | €300,000 | TBD |
| Donegal | Inishowen Greenway | Buncrana -Carndonagh | 32 | €600,000 | TBD |
| Donegal | Inishowen Greenway | Bridgened to Buncrana and Newtowncunningham | TBD | €500,000 | TBD |
| Donegal | – | Burtonport to Letterkenny | TBD | €250,000 | TBD |
| Galway Co.Co | Athenry to Milltown Greenway | Athenry – Milltown | 45 | €70,000 | TBD |
| Kerry | – | Tralee to Listowel | TBD | €600,000 | TBD |
| Kerry | North Kerry Greenway to South Kerry Greenway | Connection | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Kerry | – | County Greenway Connectivity Study | TBD | €100,000 | TBD |
| Limerick City & Co.Co. | Limerick Greenway | Rathkeale- Adare- Patrick’s Well | 22 | €250,000 | TBD |
| Mayo | Ballina Castlebar Westport Interurban Greenway | Viaduct Westport (Great Western Greenway)- Moy Cycle bridge, Ballina | 60 | €250,000 | TBD |