M21 - Limerick to Rathkeale/Foynes [Adare bypass under construction; remainder pending]

annfield1978 · 07-01-2026 10:56AM

Missing link will be part of a separate Employer Design Contract procured through a Framework so wont be visibile on E Tender

Cookiemunster · 08-01-2026 01:04AM

I was having a look at the design drawings on foyneslimerick.ie and it could indeed be works for the missing link.

The N21 is on an embankment between the Monearla Bridge and the end of the current dual carriageway and that will need to be widened slightly to allow the road to be widened. This seems to match with the location of the works in the notice.

KrisW1001 · 08-01-2026 10:32AM

The notice says “Embankment Construction Works”, so that could be as you say. The bridge itself will be a big job, though.

But you’d imagine that if this road was being built, the local TDs and councillors would be out with the megaphones taking credit for it. If this is anything to do with N21 (and it may not be), I suspect it’s just enabling works, services and/and groundwork being done while the necessary plant is already nearby for the Adare bypass.

What is very promising is that the archaeological survey works for the shortened bypass programme actually extend all the way to the tie-in with the existing road (digs are circled in red below). This will allow the construction to be continued without any additional delay.

marno21 · 08-01-2026 11:21AM

Is the Monearla bridge being retained as is for the M21 upgrade? I had thought it was.

Cookiemunster · 08-01-2026 12:08PM

The bridge is staying. You can see from the design drawing that it's not part of the scheme. There'll just be no hard shoulder underneath it like the bridges on the Nenagh bypass. The motorway will diverge from the N21 just West of the bridge. But an overpass will need to be built over the L1424.

pajoguy · 08-01-2026 12:30PM

Expected delivery date for the Adare bypass is February 2027. That is what they are currently on track for.

This extension is being undertaken under TII Frameworks as I understand it. Priority Construction are on site now. They may be doing earthworks and drainage and separate contractors for structure, pavement construction, signage etc.

This is my understanding of what is happening.

marno21 · 08-01-2026 12:31PM

https://www.foyneslimerick.ie/_files/ugd/1cba1b_5e9a6202308b4445ba41e0a3417da18b.pdf

Not having to rebuild Monearla Bridge is a big boost.

From the above map, the total between the underbridge of the Adare GSJ and Monearla Bridge is 2.1km. The first 650m of this is west of the L1424 which has already had work commenced per the drone videos. It's 1.5km from there to Monearla Bridge which has a total of a culvert and a stream bridge, and the L1424 underbridge.

It would be a possibility that into 2026 as earthworks conclude on the rest of the scheme they can go hammer and tongs at this stretch, which is a particularly easy one. There is no fundamental reason it could not be complete in 18 months.

Hopefully the roadworks notice above is the start of this.

KrisW1001 · 08-01-2026 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124128580#Comment_124128580

Measuring from aerial photos, there’s around 17 metres of road between the two armoured barriers here (give or take 20 cm or so). A Type 1 DC without shoulders is 4x 3.5 m traffic lanes, plus a 2.6 metre median reserve = 16.6 metres. Yes, it’s a bit of a squeeze but it’ll fit.

Looks like this route was expected to be no wider than a 2+2 in future (i.e., a paved width of 16.5 m), which makes sense given that when this road was built, M21 was projected to to take a different route entirely: starting as a spur from M20, and bypassing Adare to the south.

cameltoe86 · 19-01-2026 10:25AM

https://youtu.be/WB9GLe3Vd1c?si=RQDnCdQUmDpGDJzf

Another update from Adare Bypass page

Cookiemunster · 19-01-2026 11:19AM

That ends rather abruptly. Hopefully the reupload it with the full video.

divineblessings · 19-01-2026 12:43PM

Great progress. Non-trivial chance the Ryder Cup might be cancelled (Greenland etc)?

lordleitrim · 19-01-2026 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161595#Comment_124161595

Hopefully not. 🙏 Separately, isn't it fair to say many motorway projects since the 2000s (once they eventually start construction) tended to open up to several months before their official target date? Could we see a Spring 2027 opening if there are no unforseen obstacles or delays and favourable weather conditions?

Pale Red · 19-01-2026 02:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161595#Comment_124161595

Ryder Cup has little to do with this project - other than splitting out a section to have done before it. I think if RC was cancelled today we would see the missing link starting and probably finished by next Summer.

pajoguy · 19-01-2026 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161907#Comment_124161907

Missing link has started.

MayoSalmon · 19-01-2026 11:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161595#Comment_124161595

What does Greenland have to do with the Ryder Cup?!

marno21 · 20-01-2026 12:08AM

Until such time as there’s a clear impact of the latest developments in US foreign policy on the development of the M21 motorway in Co. Limerick, there’s no real need to discuss it on this thread

Pale Red · 20-01-2026 01:15AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124162060#Comment_124162060

Strong suspicion that earthworks are part of building the missing link. Has there been an announcement - nothing on the bypass website.

spacetweek · 20-01-2026 08:29PM

Speculation so far, no official confirmation.

Cushtie · 24-01-2026 11:59AM

Any word on when they will start the rest of this project [west of Adare to Foynes] ?

Will they move on to it soon enough or will it be a totally separate project to be started when the Adare bypass part is complete. I'm aware they have done the fencing, archeological etc.

Bass Reeves · 24-01-2026 08:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124175375#Comment_124175375

I think a certain amount of work has started on it. AFAIK the contract is given out already)

Tockman · 28-01-2026 05:19PM

New newsletter out

The Q4 2025 newsletter for the Foynes to Limerick Road (Adare Bypass) project reports that the development remains on track for completion by the end of Q2 2027. Despite challenging weather conditions during the quarter, the project has transitioned focus from major earthworks to drainage and structural construction.

Project Progress & Key Stats

Workforce: There are over 300 personnel currently on-site, with over 350,000 total hours worked.
Earthworks: Cut and fill operations are now more than 90% complete.
Drainage: Over 25% of the drainage pipework has been installed.
Structures: 13 of the 14 planned underpasses and culverts were installed by the end of 2025.
River Bridges: The River Maigue sub-structure is nearly finished, and manufacturing of its steel beams is almost complete for delivery in Q1 2026. Other river bridges (Greanagh A, Greanagh B, and Clonshire) have substantially complete sub-structures.

Traffic Management Updates

L-8025: Reopened to traffic in early January 2026.
N21 Adare Roundabout: Online construction works are expected to begin in late Q1 or early Q2 2026, which may cause traffic delays and require nighttime closures for surfacing.
Public Safety: Residents are urged to take care near site entrances and comply with temporary traffic restrictions, including reduced speed limits.

Look Ahead (Q1 2026)

Rock Blasting: Operations near Croagh will continue.
Bridge Work: The Clonshire bridge deck will be poured, and beams will be placed on the two Greanagh bridges and Underbridge UB09.
Upcoming Structures: Abutment walls for the Adare Junction (UB10) will commence, and the final culvert (M21-C7) is scheduled for installation.

Vanquished · 19-02-2026 10:56PM

First confirmation of sorts that the "missing link" section from the future Adare GSJ to the existing N21 DC is progressing.

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring/2018538/final-phase-of-bypass-through-limerick-village-fast-tracked-for-ryder-cup.html

KrisW1001 · 20-02-2026 09:39AM

Good to see.

The main project looks to be ahead of schedule, which is why I suspect they’ve activated this part. The online upgrade should be done within 12 months.

Cookiemunster · 20-02-2026 03:52PM

No sign of a video yet, but theres a gallery up for February.

https://www.adarebypass.ie/february-2026/

The Western Greanagh River bridge has had its beams installed and a huge crane is being setup for install the beams on the Eastern Greanagh River bridge.

Cookiemunster · 23-02-2026 11:05AM

Another excellent video from the project team.

https://youtu.be/9_-QIpHM6xg?is=81gRGq3xqwgg5olg

marno21 · 23-02-2026 11:17AM

Things seem to be going well especially in light of how challenging it has been for the last while.

Unfortunately the video above only covers the strech covered by the contract so its hard to ascertain what's going on at the eastern end.

Is the actual span for the motorway at the Adare interchange covered under the Adare bypass contract? The Adare bypass contract can function without the span complete. It doesn't look like much is happening with the actual motorway part there.

Pale Red · 23-02-2026 11:51AM

To my layman's eye, it looks like early ground works on the missing link from 13:45.

Cookiemunster · 23-02-2026 12:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258622#Comment_124258622

The interchange bridge and the slips to the west are included in the contract.

lordleitrim · 23-02-2026 03:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258720#Comment_124258720

There is definitely digger activity the few times I've passed the " missing link" section in the past month...it seems strange that it is not being mentioned in any formal literature or 3 months look ahead updates being provided by the official channels.

Hibernicis · 23-02-2026 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259294#Comment_124259294

Drove passed yesterday (got distracted and accidentally drove through Adare on a Sunday afternoon, Groan) and it's fenced off and there was heavy groundworks equipment in the vicinity.

That is some crane they have for the second Greanagh River bridge.

M21 - Limerick to Rathkeale/Foynes [Adare bypass under construction; remainder pending]

Comments

Project Progress & Key Stats

Traffic Management Updates

Look Ahead (Q1 2026)