Continued Development of Greenways Across Ireland
The network of Greenways around Ireland continues to develop thanks to significant investment and support from the Department of Transport. Greenways provide a safe space for cyclists and walkers alike.
2025 has seen the continued development of the network, with significant expansion of existing Greenways and the creation of new Greenways.
Royal Canal Greenway – Phase 3
September 2025 saw the official opening of Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway, comprising of 2.1km of walking and cycling facilities along the banks of the Royal Canal; extending from Newcomen Bridge, North Strand to Cross Guns Bridge, Phibsborough. There is now a continuous 3.2km walking and cycling route through the north city from Phibsborough to the River Liffey.
The project includes a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, safe and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling facilities, a new community plaza and upgraded public lighting and CCTV infrastructure. It was progressed in partnership between Dublin City Council, Waterways Ireland, CIÉ, Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority. The route forms part of the 314km Dublin City Council Active Travel Network, a key programme designed to meet Dublin’s growing need for greener transport through better infrastructure facilities.
Welcoming the project, Darragh O’Brien T.D., Minister for Transport, said: “This scheme, which forms part of the National Cycle Network, exemplifies what can be done when we focus on delivering best-in-class infrastructure to attract and enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle as an alternative to private car use. It also demonstrates the importance of building linkages and a connected network. Because this phase of the Royal Canal links to previous phases, a person can now walk, wheel or cycle safely and with ease from Spencer Dock to Phibsborough. This scheme also connects to other Dublin City Council active travel schemes, including the Clontarf to City Centre scheme, enabling ease of active travel across the city.”
Dodder Greenway – Firhouse Road and Butterfield Avenue
The Dodder Greenway will provide approximately 20 kilometres of high-quality walking and cycling facilities along the Dodder River, from the Bohernabreena reservoir in South Dublin to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin City Centre. South Dublin County Council (SDCC) are responsible for 14 km of the greenway from the Bohernabreena Reservoir to Orwell Park in Rathfarnham and have previously completed a number of sections of the Dodder Greenway linking the large residential communities of Kiltipper, Tallaght, Old Bawn, Templeogue and Rathfarnham, at a cost of approx. €26 million.
The latest phase of the project is approximately 1.6 km in length and completes a crucial missing section of the greenway along the Firhouse Road and Butterfield Avenue, providing continuous, high-quality, walking and cycling facilities from Old Bawn to Rathfarnham. The scheme also included upgrades to other walking and cycling facilities in the vicinity to provide high-quality connections between the greenway and the existing active travel network in Knocklyon and Templeogue. The costs of the latest phase of the project are approx. €11 million. It is anticipated that this section will be formally opened in early 2026.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council are responsible for the remaining sections of the greenway east of Rathfarnham, which are at various stages of completion.
Grand Canal Greenway
Construction of approximately 4.6km of improvements to the existing northern towpath which forms part of the larger Grand Canal Greenway. The Greenway links the townlands of Hazelhatch, Loughtown Lower, Balscott, Stacumney Cottage, Mullauns, Coolscuddan, Gollierstown and Ballymakaily.
This project is largely completed. Works have included improvements to the existing towpath through path refurbishment and the provision of a suitable surface (i.e. quarry dust or asphalt depending on local conditions), provision of access controls along the route, provision of underground utilities and services ducting (power, telecom, public lighting & CCTV), and all associated ancillary works including landscaping and environmental works.
South Kerry Greenway
A 3km section of Greenway in the vicinity of Kells, County Kerry is expected to open in the coming months – this will mark the first section opening on the South Kerry Greenway. This scheme is at an advanced stage with another section envisaged to be completed in 2026 with the aim of delivering a 27km Greenway between Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen in the coming years.