General Industry

Galway to Dublin Route Nears

By Publications Checkout
Galway to Dublin Route Nears

In more positive news for the cycle-tourism industry, the proposed Dublin to Galway cycle route took another step closer to completion this morning with the official completion of a third section, at Twelfth Lock in Castleknock.

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar (right) was at the launch, having previously targeted 2015 as the end date for the entrée route's construction. If the route is anywhere near as successful as the Great Western Greenway, or even the Ring of Kerry, then local stakeholders can surely look forward to an influx of lycra-clad, energetic tourists from both home and abroad. The €2 million Ashtown to Castleknock stretch is a 2.5km Greenway along the Royal Canal will form part of the first national Greenway running right across the country, from the Docklands in Dublin city to the Atlantic coast in Galway. Minister Varadkar also announced details of the preferred route for the western section of the Greenway between Athlone and Galway. The preferred route corridor runs through Shannonbridge, Loughrea, Craughwell, Clarinbridge and Oranmore to the Galway coast. “It’s great to see the Galway to Dublin Greenway taking shape. Two years ago we only had a simple idea to run a Greenway along the Royal Canal. Now three sections are open to the public and being used actively by walkers, cyclists and for other leisure pursuits. Today I’m delighted to formally open this new section between Ashtown to Castleknock,” Minister Varadkar said. “I’m also pleased to confirm the preferred route for the section running between Athlone and the Galway coast. Instead of trying to build the entire route in one go, at a time when resources are very limited, I have taken an incremental approach by developing each section as funding becomes available. Although we still have a huge task in finishing the rest of the project, I’m really looking forward to walking, cycling or running along the entire route between Dublin and Galway when it’s finally completed.” The 40km section between Mullingar and Athlone will be completed next year, after €4 million was allocated by Minister of State for Transport Alan Kelly. Two further sections totalling 40km in Kildare and Meath are at shovel ready stage, and work will start as soon as funding becomes available.

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