Dublin–Galway Greenway Explained

Dublin-Galway Greenway
Length:[1]
Elev Gain And Loss:0m gain approximately

The Dublin–Galway Greenway is a partially completed 'coast-to-coast' greenway and partial rail trail, in Ireland, funded by the Department of Transport, which is due to become the western section of EuroVelo EV2, a cycle route from Galway, Ireland, crossing Europe and ending in Moscow, Russia.[2] [3] [4] The route was planned to be completed by 2020.[5] It is due to be the fourth greenway in Ireland, after the Great Southern Trail, the Great Western Greenway and the Waterford Greenway.

Sections

The greenway connects existing pathways, redeveloped railtrails and newly created sections.

Dublin City to Ashtown

The Greenway begins at Spencer Dock in Dublin City Centre. The section from Sheriff Street to Newcomen Bridge, a completely new section of canal-side route crossing a railway line, was completed in July 2020.[6] The rest of the route follows the canal towpaths, which are of varying quality and includes the "Deep Sinking" section which is currently inadvisable for amateur cyclists.[7] Upgrades of the entire length are proposed.

Royal Canal Way

The route then follows the Royal Canal Way which links Ashtown, Dublin to Longford along the Royal Canal.

Upgrade works are planned along the length of this to improve surfaces and access. The official "starting" point for the Greenway is at Maynooth harbour,[8] from the Eastern end of the Greenway; but works are either in planning, under construction or completed along the entire length of the Royal Canal Way.

Westmeath Way

See main article: Westmeath Way. The Westmeath way stretches [9] from the Meath-Westmeath border and is proposed to meet to the town of Ballinea, south-west of Mullingar.[10]

Mullingar–Athlone

See main article: Athlone to Mullingar Cycleway. The section from Mullingar to Athlone is a rail-trail over the disused Mullingar-Athlone rail line, (with refurbished former stations in Moate and Castletown Geoghegan).[11] The Moate-Garrycastle section was officially opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in October 2015.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] Planning permission for a new bridge in Athlone across the Shannon was granted in November 2017.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23] Funding for this bridge and the section from Garrycastle into Athlone was announced in August 2018,[24] and the bridge was opened in August 2023.[25] [26] Rail traffic through Athlone was suspended during the Easter weekend in 2019, to allow for the construction of an underpass for the greenway below the Dublin Heuston - Galway rail line.[27] In September 2015 the Westmeath Independent reported that the greenway could provide a "€15m boost" to the local economy.[28] A section from the white-gates level crossing to the Athlone Marina opened in October 2021.[29] [30]

In September 2022, funding became available from Westmeath County Council to convert the old Streamstown railway station on the trail to a café.[31]

A community development organisation in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath plans to connect the Greenway to the Offaly Cycleways at Kilbeggan with a greenway to Tullamore, County Offaly.[32]

Athlone–Galway

The planning of this route via Ballinasloe (as part of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands)[33] by the National Roads Authority was requested by Galway County Council in June 2014 and was in the planning stage in July 2015.[34] [35] [36] [37] [38] There was opposition from multiple stakeholders: the Galway Cycling Campaign objected to the proposal to place the route, the "Galway to Athlone Cycleway", near to the N6 national primary road. Teachta Dála for Galway East, Ciarán Cannon stated in September 2015 that significant numbers of local landowners also expressed concern about the preferred route.[39] [40] In October 2015 Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe announced the withdrawal of funding for the section until the concerns of local landowners had been resolved.[41]

In January 2017, Minister Shane Ross announced a new consultation process, and 55 submissions were received by February.[42] [43] In 2018 this section was still in the planning phase, with funding secure from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).[44] [45] A public project office was planned in early 2019.[46] By July 2019 a preferred route following the rail line to Monksland, turning southwards through Crannagh More, by the River Shannon opposite Clonmacnoise, west towards Moore, crossing the R357 north of Shannonbridge, crossing the River Suck, and taking the disused Grand-Canal branch to Ballinasloe, before passing through Loughrea, Clarinbridge and Oranmore before going into Galway city, was published.[47] Funding was allocated to Galway County Council in December 2019.[48]

Public consultation on five potential Athlone–Galway routes began in January 2021.[49] In December 2021, the route selection process was completed and the proposed Route 5 was selected as the preferred route to complete the Dublin-Galway Greenway.[50] The route will pass through Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe, Clonfert, Meelick, Portumna, Woodford, Gort, Coole Park, Kinvara, Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge and Oranmore, before reaching Galway city.[51] [52] [53] [54] Ballinasloe would be connected by a branch from Shannonbridge.[55]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Melia . Paul . 27 June 2014 . Wheels in motion for 280km coast-to-coast cycle route . 6 August 2014 . . Dublin.
  2. Web site: 27 June 2014 . Latest section of Dublin-Galway coast-to-coast Greenway opens - Varadkar . 6 August 2014 . DTTAS.ie.
  3. Web site: 18 December 2014 . Local councillors had a chance to check on the progress of the Greenway cycleway project as works reached Moate last week. . 18 December 2014 . Athlone Advertiser.
  4. Web site: Kelly . Olivia . 12 March 2015 . Plan unveiled for €10m-plus Royal Canal cycle path . 14 September 2015 . Irish Times.
  5. Web site: 27 June 2014 . Galway to Dublin greenway could be finished in five years . 6 August 2014 . IrishCycle.com.
  6. Web site: 2020-07-31 . Phase 2 of Royal Canal Greenway Opens . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904204509/https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/phase-2-royal-canal-greenway-opens . 2020-09-04 . 2020-09-04 . Dublin Cycling Campaign . en.
  7. Web site: March 19, 2019 . Public urged to support Royal Canal Greenway proposals as opposition mounts in Dublin 15 - .
  8. Web site: 2019 . Route Info . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230111357/https://royalcanalgreenway.ie/home/currentstatus/route-info/ . 2019-12-30 . Royal Canal Greenway.
  9. Web site: Royal Canal Greenway map . 8 January 2015.
  10. Web site: Walking on The Royal Canal . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150108150640/http://www.waterwaysireland.org/walking-in-the-royal-canal . 8 January 2015 . 8 January 2015 . . Wayback Machine.
  11. Web site: 9 July 2015 . Work underway at Moate Railway Station . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710071446/http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?pbid=b7931038-6567-4ee1-a9a6-fc0dfed4ae8f . 10 July 2015 . 9 July 2015 . pagesuite-professional.co.uk . . 4 . Wayback Machine.
  12. News: McDermott . Eoghan . 18 October 2015 . Kenny wants national strategy for walks and trails . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112546/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/kenny-wants-national-strategy-for-walks-and-trails-1.2396611 . December 22, 2015 . 19 October 2015 . The Irish Times.
  13. Web site: 5 October 2015 . Taoiseach to officially open Greenway this Sunday . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016134828/http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/80263/taoiseach-to-officially-open-greenway-this-sunday . 16 October 2015 . 16 October 2015.
  14. Web site: 11 October 2015 . Midlands Greenway official opening on October 18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151014150239/http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/10/11/4107318--midlands-greenway-official-opening-on-october-18/ . 14 October 2015 . 14 October 2015 . Westmeath Examiner.
  15. Web site: 11 September 2015 . Taoiseach to perform official opening of Mullingar to Garrycastle cycleway . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151005103211/http://www.shannonside.ie/news/taoiseach-to-perform-official-opening-of-mullingar-to-garrycastle-cycleway/ . 5 October 2015 . 5 October 2015 . . Wayback Machine.
  16. Web site: Cusack . Adrian . 26 August 2015 . Athone to Mullingar Greenway set to open within weeks . 29 August 2015 . IrishCycle.com.
  17. Web site: 18 May 2015 . Countdown is on to opening of Athlone to Mullingar cycleway . Westmeath Independent.
  18. Web site: Welcome to Greenways Westmeath . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710150217/https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/tourismlibraryartsrecreation/greenway/ . 10 July 2015 . 9 July 2015 . . Wayback Machine.
  19. News: O'Halloran . Marie . 7 November 2017 . Permission granted for new bridge across Shannon in Athlone . Irish Times.
  20. Web site: Grace . Robert . 10 December 2015 . Councillors welcome latest proposed design for Athlone's cycleway bridge . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211141950/http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/81575/councillors-welcome-latest-proposed-design-for-athlones-cycleway-bridge . 11 December 2015 . Athlone Advertiser.
  21. Web site: Dublin – Galway Greenway . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710155447/https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/tourismlibraryartsrecreation/greenway/dublingalwaygreenway/ . 10 July 2015 . 9 July 2015 . . Wayback Machine.
  22. Web site: 15 May 2014 . €10m More For Cycleways . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052827/http://www.hospitalityireland.com/General-Industry-News/10m-more-for-cycleways.html . 8 August 2014 . 6 August 2014 . Hospitality Ireland.
  23. News: Daly . Maria . 9 October 2014 . Council confirm plans for new towncentre bridge as part of cycleway . 9 October 2014 . Athlone Advertiser.
  24. News: Fagan . Ronan . 30 August 2018 . Greenway extension progress boost as funding is announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180830173422/http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/102670/greenway-extension-progress-boost-as-funding-is-announced . 30 August 2018 . 30 August 2018 . Athlone Advertiser.
  25. News: Mannion . Teresa . 8 August 2023 . 'Good for tourism': Welcome for Athlone greenway bridge . . Teresa Mannion.
  26. Web site: 23 October 2022 . Naming of Athlone's new bridge to be considered by councillors . Westmeath Independent.
  27. Web site: Cusack . Adrian . 24 January 2019 . No train service in Athlone over Easter weekend . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190125100704/https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/01/24/4168205-no-train-service-in-athlone-over-easter-weekend/ . 25 January 2019 . 2 April 2019 . Westmeath Independent.
  28. News: Cusack . Adrian . 2 September 2015 . local greenway could provide '€15m boost' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150903131420/http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/09/02/4079391-in-this-weeks-westmeath-independent/ . 3 September 2015 . 3 September 2015 . Westmeath Independent.
  29. Web site: New Athlone Greenway To Be Officially Opened Next Month . Midlands 103.
  30. Web site: 2021-10-20 . Cycleway audiobook puts focus on Abbey Graveyard . Westmeath Independent.
  31. Web site: 27 September 2022 . €33,000 available for Greenway café . Westmeath Independent.
  32. Web site: 6 February 2015 . Kilbeggan track could be 'midlands Greenway' . 13 February 2014 . Westmeath Examiner.
  33. News: Corrigan . Stephen . 13 August 2019 . Transition key in move from peat to parkland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190813093551/https://connachttribune.ie/transition-key-in-move-from-peat-to-parkland/ . 13 August 2019 . 13 August 2019 . Connacht Tribune.
  34. News: Nee . Martina . 26 June 2014 . NRA to begin design of Ballinasloe to Galway greenway . 13 February 2015 . Galway Advertiser.
  35. Route Corridor Selection Report Galway – Dublin Greenway:Ballinasloe to Athlone . Coleman . Daniel . October 2014 . . 10 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150415235316/http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Roads/Galway-Dublin-Greenway/Athlone-Ballinasloe-Route-Corridor-Selection-Report.pdf . 15 April 2015 . dead.
  36. Ballinasloe to Athlone Corridor Overview . 2014 . . R446 road . 1:25000 . Ordnance Survey Ireland, AECOM, Roughan & O'Donovan . 10 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150416012127/http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Roads/Galway-Dublin-Greenway/Ballinasloe-to-Athlone-Corridor-Overview-MAP.pdf . 16 April 2015 . dead . pdf.
  37. Web site: Brett . Ivo . July 2015 . July Update - Galway Farmers want cyclists pushed onto the N6, Longford woos minister and looks to connect Royal Canal greenway to Mayo . 27 August 2015 . DublinGalwayGreenway.com.
  38. Web site: Melia . Paul . 27 June 2015 . 1,000 landowners hold key to saving Dublin-Galway cycleway . 27 August 2015 . Irish Independent.
  39. Web site: 21 September 2015 . Galway East TD says greenway route proposal is not viable . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150928204537/http://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-east-td-says-greenway-route-proposal-is-not-viable/ . 28 September 2015 . . Wayback Machine.
  40. Web site: McNamara . Denise . 6 September 2015 . Cyclists voice opposition to N6 greenway . 14 September 2015 . Connacht Tribune.
  41. Web site: 30 October 2015 . Plans for section of cycle route put on hold following objections . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151030080406/http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1030/738407-greenway-cycle-route/ . 30 October 2015 . RTÉ News.
  42. News: Fitzgibbon . Amy Nora . 19 January 2017 . Ross 'agrees to proper consultation process' for Galway Greenway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211165359/http://www.farmersjournal.ie/minister-ross-agrees-to-proper-consultation-process-for-galway-greenway-249838 . 11 February 2017 . Farmers Journal.
  43. News: 10 February 2017 . 55 submissions received on Galway to Dublin greenway . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211170232/http://connachttribune.ie/55-submissions-received-on-controversial-galway-to-dublin-greenway/ . 11 February 2017 . 11 February 2017 . Connacht Tribune.
  44. News: Cunningham . Enda . 18 November 2018 . Minister commits to examine all options on greenway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181118185154/https://connachttribune.ie/minister-commits-to-examine-all-options-on-greenway-004/ . 18 November 2018 . 2 April 2019 . Connacht Tribune.
  45. Web site: 28 December 2018 . 200 Thousand Euro For Next Phase Of Galway-Athlone Greenway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181228134218/https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/200-thousand-euro-for-next-phase-of-galway-athlone-greenway/ . 28 December 2018 . 2 April 2019 . GalwayBayFM.ie.
  46. Web site: 31 January 2019 . Senator Calls For Focus On Public Consultation In Bid To Progress Plan For Athlone To Galway Greenway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190131144352/https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/senator-calls-for-focus-on-public-consultation-in-bid-to-progress-plan-for-athlone-to-galway-greenway/ . 31 January 2019 . 2 April 2019 . GalwayBayFM.ie.
  47. News: Verney . Deirdre . 30 July 2019 . Progress on final section of Dublin to Galway greenway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190828153526/http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2019/07/19/progress-on-final-section-of-dublin-to-galway-greenway/ . 28 August 2019 . Westmeath Examiner.
  48. News: Kelly . Briain . 23 December 2019 . Galway county allocated €29 million for roads maintenance . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200110134523/https://galwaydaily.com/news/galway-county-roads-e29-million-funding/ . 10 January 2020 . 10 January 2020 . Galway Daily.
  49. News: O'Brien . Tim . Public consultation opens over Athlone to Galway greenway route . The Irish Times.
  50. Web site: Kelly . Kieran . 6 December 2021 . Dublin – Galway Greenway to pass through Ballinasloe, Portumna, Gort, Kinvara, Clarinbridge and Oranmore . 30 June 2022 . Greensways Ireland.
  51. News: 9 December 2021 . Athlone to Galway greenway route draws mixed response . 30 June 2022 . Connacht Tribune.
  52. News: Cusack . Adrian . 7 December 2021 . Route corridor chosen for Athlone to Galway cycleway . 30 June 2022 . Westmeath Independent.
  53. Web site: 11 April 2024 . Athlone-Galway cycleway being split into two projects . WestmeathIndependent.ie.
  54. News: Dolan . Aisling . 7 December 2021 . Ballinasloe is first stop in the West for Galway-Dublin Cycleway – Dolan . 30 June 2022 . Fine Gael.
  55. Web site: 27 March 2023 . Galway to Athlone Greenway: Detailed 'Emerging Preferred Route' . IrishCycle.com.

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