Dublin–Galway Greenway

Dublin-Galway Greenway
Bridge on the greenway
Length276 kilometres (171 mi)[1]
LocationDublin-Galway, Ireland
TrailheadsSheriff Street, Dublin
Galway City
UseHiking, Cycling
Elevation gain/loss0m gain approximately
Map of the EuroVelo 2 route.

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 276 kilometres (171 mi) route was planned to be completed by 2020.[3][1][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

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

Dublin City to Ashtown

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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

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Main article: 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] 28 kilometres (17 mi) 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

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Main article: Westmeath Way

The Westmeath way stretches 28 kilometres (17 mi)[9] from the Meath-Westmeath border and is proposed to meet to the town of Ballinea, south-west of Mullingar.[10]

Mullingar–Athlone

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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][12] The Moate-Garrycastle section was officially opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in October 2015.[13][14][11][15][16][17][18] Planning permission for a new bridge in Athlone across the Shannon was granted in November 2017.[19][20][21][3][1][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

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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.[3][34][35][36][17][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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Melia, Paul (27 June 2014). "Wheels in motion for 280km coast-to-coast cycle route". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Latest section of Dublin-Galway coast-to-coast Greenway opens - Varadkar". DTTAS.ie. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Local councillors had a chance to check on the progress of the Greenway cycleway project as works reached Moate last week". Athlone Advertiser. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  4. ^ Kelly, Olivia (12 March 2015). "Plan unveiled for €10m-plus Royal Canal cycle path". Irish Times. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Galway to Dublin greenway could be finished in five years". IrishCycle.com. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Phase 2 of Royal Canal Greenway Opens". Dublin Cycling Campaign. 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Public urged to support Royal Canal Greenway proposals as opposition mounts in Dublin 15 -". 19 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Route Info". Royal Canal Greenway. 2019. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Royal Canal Greenway map". Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Walking on The Royal Canal". Waterways Ireland. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ a b "Midlands Greenway official opening on October 18". Westmeath Examiner. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Work underway at Moate Railway Station". pagesuite-professional.co.uk. Athlone Advertiser. 9 July 2015. p. 4. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ McDermott, Eoghan (18 October 2015). "Kenny wants national strategy for walks and trails". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Taoiseach to officially open Greenway this Sunday". 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Taoiseach to perform official opening of Mullingar to Garrycastle cycleway". Shannonside FM. 11 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  16. ^ Cusack, Adrian (26 August 2015). "Athone to Mullingar Greenway set to open within weeks". IrishCycle.com. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Countdown is on to opening of Athlone to Mullingar cycleway". Westmeath Independent. 18 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Welcome to Greenways Westmeath". Westmeath County Council. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ O'Halloran, Marie (7 November 2017). "Permission granted for new bridge across Shannon in Athlone". Irish Times.
  20. ^ Grace, Robert (10 December 2015). "Councillors welcome latest proposed design for Athlone's cycleway bridge". Athlone Advertiser. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015.
  21. ^ "Dublin – Galway Greenway". Westmeath County Council. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  22. ^ "€10m More For Cycleways". Hospitality Ireland. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  23. ^ Daly, Maria (9 October 2014). "Council confirm plans for new towncentre bridge as part of cycleway". Athlone Advertiser. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  24. ^ Fagan, Ronan (30 August 2018). "Greenway extension progress boost as funding is announced". Athlone Advertiser. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  25. ^ Mannion, Teresa (8 August 2023). "'Good for tourism': Welcome for Athlone greenway bridge". RTÉ News.
  26. ^ "Naming of Athlone's new bridge to be considered by councillors". Westmeath Independent. 23 October 2022.
  27. ^ Cusack, Adrian (24 January 2019). "No train service in Athlone over Easter weekend". Westmeath Independent. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  28. ^ Cusack, Adrian (2 September 2015). "local greenway could provide '€15m boost'". Westmeath Independent. Archived from the original on 3 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  29. ^ "New Athlone Greenway To Be Officially Opened Next Month". Midlands 103.
  30. ^ "Cycleway audiobook puts focus on Abbey Graveyard". Westmeath Independent. 20 October 2021.
  31. ^ "€33,000 available for Greenway café". Westmeath Independent. 27 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Kilbeggan track could be 'midlands Greenway'". Westmeath Examiner. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  33. ^ Corrigan, Stephen (13 August 2019). "Transition key in move from peat to parkland". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  34. ^ Nee, Martina (26 June 2014). "NRA to begin design of Ballinasloe to Galway greenway". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  35. ^ Coleman, Daniel (October 2014). Route Corridor Selection Report Galway – Dublin Greenway:Ballinasloe to Athlone (PDF) (Report). National Roads Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  36. ^ Ballinasloe to Athlone Corridor Overview (PDF) (Map). 1:25000. Cartography by Ordnance Survey Ireland, AECOM, Roughan & O'Donovan. R446 road: National Roads Authority. 2014. Archived from the original (pdf) on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.{{cite map}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  37. ^ 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". DublinGalwayGreenway.com. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  38. ^ Melia, Paul (27 June 2015). "1,000 landowners hold key to saving Dublin-Galway cycleway". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  39. ^ "Galway East TD says greenway route proposal is not viable". Galway Bay FM. 21 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  40. ^ McNamara, Denise (6 September 2015). "Cyclists voice opposition to N6 greenway". Connacht Tribune. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  41. ^ "Plans for section of cycle route put on hold following objections". RTÉ News. 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015.
  42. ^ Fitzgibbon, Amy Nora (19 January 2017). "Ross 'agrees to proper consultation process' for Galway Greenway". Farmers Journal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017.
  43. ^ "55 submissions received on Galway to Dublin greenway". Connacht Tribune. 10 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  44. ^ Cunningham, Enda (18 November 2018). "Minister commits to examine all options on greenway". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  45. ^ "200 Thousand Euro For Next Phase Of Galway-Athlone Greenway". GalwayBayFM.ie. 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  46. ^ "Senator Calls For Focus On Public Consultation In Bid To Progress Plan For Athlone To Galway Greenway". GalwayBayFM.ie. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  47. ^ Verney, Deirdre (30 July 2019). "Progress on final section of Dublin to Galway greenway". Westmeath Examiner. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019.
  48. ^ Kelly, Briain (23 December 2019). "Galway county allocated €29 million for roads maintenance". Galway Daily. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  49. ^ O'Brien, Tim. "Public consultation opens over Athlone to Galway greenway route". The Irish Times.
  50. ^ Kelly, Kieran (6 December 2021). "Dublin – Galway Greenway to pass through Ballinasloe, Portumna, Gort, Kinvara, Clarinbridge and Oranmore". Greensways Ireland. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  51. ^ "Athlone to Galway greenway route draws mixed response". Connacht Tribune. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  52. ^ Cusack, Adrian (7 December 2021). "Route corridor chosen for Athlone to Galway cycleway". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  53. ^ "Athlone-Galway cycleway being split into two projects". WestmeathIndependent.ie. 11 April 2024.
  54. ^ Dolan, Aisling (7 December 2021). "Ballinasloe is first stop in the West for Galway-Dublin Cycleway – Dolan". Fine Gael. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Galway to Athlone Greenway: Detailed 'Emerging Preferred Route'". IrishCycle.com. 27 March 2023.
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53°31′16″N 7°19′57″W / 53.5212°N 7.332551°W / 53.5212; -7.332551 (Piper's Boreen, Dublin-Galway Greenway)

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