Greenways [greenway map of Ireland in post 1]

Carawaystick · 28-05-2015 4:37pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If it gets to Mullingar, then the railway-line Greenway to Athlone will be the next stage.

As I posted seven posts upthread, this Mullingar Athlone section will open this coming July

trellheim · 01-06-2015 1:15pm

Links for the DCC Royal route around Sheriff St

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning-planning-news/royal-canal-greenway-part-8

Pity its not an overbridge at Drumcondra and North Strand Road

Zubeneschamali · 01-06-2015 3:53pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

As I posted seven posts upthread, this Mullingar Athlone section will open this coming July

Sorry, what I meant was if the canal bank greenway gets to Mullingar, there will already be a greenway to the Shannon at Athlone, rather than having to wait for the Royal canal bank one to open as far as the Shannon at Ballymahon or wherever.

plodder · 02-06-2015 9:20am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Sorry, what I meant was if the canal bank greenway gets to Mullingar, there will already be a greenway to the Shannon at Athlone, rather than having to wait for the Royal canal bank one to open as far as the Shannon at Ballymahon or wherever.

Longford to the Shannon at Clondra is already open. So, the only missing bit then would be Mullingar to Longford. They seem to be popping up everywhere. It's great news.

Carawaystick · 02-06-2015 2:15pm

plodder wrote: »

Longford to the Shannon at Clondra is already open. So, the only missing bit then would be Mullingar to Longford. They seem to be popping up everywhere. It's great news.

There's a hard surface from Mullingar to Coolnahay harbour, and east from Mullingar to co. Meath.

Pete_Cavan · 27-07-2015 4:58pm

http://www.dublingalwaygreenway.com/2015/07/first-look-at-surface-of-mullingar-to.html

Although not complete by July as intended, the Mullingar - Athlone Greenway is looking like it will have an excellent quality surface. This 40km section of greenway will link up with 32km of greenway already emanating from Mullingar, more details here;

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/tourismartsrecreation/greenway/

Also, a website has been set up for the Dublin - Galway Greenway project;

http://www.galwaytodublincycleway.ie/

Westmeath seem to have delivered their end of the bargain. DCC have just ended public consultation on theirs;

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning-planning-news/royal-canal-greenway-part-8

plodder · 27-07-2015 5:10pm

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Also, a website has been set up for the Dublin - Galway Greenway project;

http://www.galwaytodublincycleway.ie/

The Galway to Dublin Cycleway will form part of the EuroVelo network of long-distance cycling trails in Europe. It will be the first leg of the proposed Capitals Route (EuroVelo 2) between Galway and Moscow. For more information on the EuroVelo network see www.eurovelo.org.

Impressive

whyulittle · 18-08-2015 7:32pm

A couple more pics of Athlone/Mullingar Greenway on Twitter. They link to big versions.

https://twitter.com/PoggyG1/status/633702722961866757

whyulittle · 25-08-2015 5:26pm

And another today.

https://twitter.com/noelahogan/status/636106694985142272

TheBody · 25-08-2015 5:29pm

Can someone please mark on a map where this greenway starts in Mullingar and finishes in Athlone?

jd · 25-08-2015 11:09pm

deisegreenway wrote: »

Waterford to New Ross goes to planning in the next few months, it's hoped to have it finished in mid 2016.

If it was possible, the old New Ross - Macmine Junction and an even longer shot Palace to Bagnelstown would be nice, but I guess they've reverted to farmland..

Carawaystick · 26-08-2015 10:11am

TheBody wrote: »

Can someone please mark on a map where this greenway starts in Mullingar and finishes in Athlone?

starts in Ballinea, Mullingar. continues on the Royal canal towpath to the Meath border

finishes in Garrycastle, Athlone. Less sure of the exact finish.

hi5 · 26-08-2015 10:18am

jd wrote: »

If it was possible, the old New Ross - Macmine Junction and an even longer shot Palace to Bagnelstown would be nice, but I guess they've reverted to farmland..

Yes, most of it is gone back to farmland but lots of it is still there, just overgrown. There are plans to develop the viaduct in Borris as an attraction..
http://kclr96fm.com/development-of-borris-viaduct-as-tourist-attraction-depends-on-funding/

Zubeneschamali · 26-08-2015 11:15am

Carawaystick wrote: »

finishes in Garrycastle, Athlone. Less sure of the exact finish.

Garrycastle is the end of this stage, but it will continue a short distance along the line to Montree later, according to the county council site:

The first section comprising of 40km is along the existing disused Mullingar to Athlone railway line. Construction commenced in September 2014 and this section of the Greenway is expected to open in July 2015.

The second section is from Garrycastle to Athlone Castle, again mostly along the disused railway line as far as Montree.

The Garrycastle finish will be somewhere near this bridge (streetview). I was expecting them to finish the railway section at the N55 Ballymahon road here, but Montree in the county council description sounds as if they will get as far as Dunnes here. That makes sense, since they will be a very short distance on public roads from the proposed new Shannon bridge.

CapnHex · 27-08-2015 12:29pm

I was cycling the Royal Canal Greenway around Mullingar yesterday and was able to access the cyclepath along the disused railway line. I went about 16km towards Athlone, as far as Streamstown (according to Google Maps), with just 1 road intersection. The first 4km or so is completely finished, then a very good tarmac surface (with maybe another layer of tarmac to go on top) for the next 12km. I'm just an ambling cyclist but my impression is that this track is very smooth, flat and straight. I could see someone wanting to test how fast s/he can go in time trial mode! When finished, it will be a great addition for worry free cycling. I can't wait to plan a proper day to do the full distance, there and back.

pigtown · 27-08-2015 4:14pm

The voluntary group that developed and takes care of the Great Southern Trail have decided to disband as the workload has become to great. They have informed both Limerick City and Council ,and CIE but haven't received a reply. They will be gone be November.

deisegreenway · 28-08-2015 12:02am

whyulittle wrote: »

A couple more pics of Athlone/Mullingar Greenway on Twitter. They link to big versions.

https://twitter.com/PoggyG1/status/633702722961866757

Thanks for sharing, this is really looking good.

On the Waterford one, almost all 48km are now underway...Tarmac near Waterford, Underpass near Waterford, Ballyvoile tunnel approach and Ballyvoile

Does anyone have any photos of the Carrick-on-Suir to Clonmel progress?

Lenton Lane · 02-09-2015 10:41am

Greenway campaigners are pushing for the Athlone - Galway section of the Dublin - Galway cycleway to be run alongside the Athlone-Galway railway line. Putting such a path alongside the operational railway would impose speed restrictions on the railway and would mean no further passing loops or double track could be constructed on that section. It would also be in breach of IÉ's long term plan for the line.

Indeed you might as well suggest a cycle path alongside a motorway. Far better to run a path through borders between agricultural fields. Much more pleasant.

loyatemu · 02-09-2015 12:05pm

Lenton Lane wrote: »

Far better to run a path through borders between agricultural fields. Much more pleasant.

this is what was being proposed by the NTA but farmers are objecting to having their lands cut in half by the greenway - possibly the railway is being looked at as an alternative. Farmers vote, Irish Rail does not.

Another option would be to use quiet L roads and build the greenway on the other side of the hedgerows (I've seen similar arrangements in France) - you'd still have to CPO bits of fields but it would be along existing roads so the farmers current objections wouldn't apply.

Sam Russell · 02-09-2015 2:26pm

loyatemu wrote: »

this is what was being proposed by the NTA but farmers are objecting to having their lands cut in half by the greenway - possibly the railway is being looked at as an alternative. Farmers vote, Irish Rail does not.

Another option would be to use quiet L roads and build the greenway on the other side of the hedgerows (I've seen similar arrangements in France) - you'd still have to CPO bits of fields but it would be along existing roads so the farmers current objections wouldn't apply.

CPO of the side of the road would prevent ribbon development and the sale of sites - I do not think farmers would agree to that.

hi5 · 07-09-2015 2:36pm

Where it might cut through a field could the greenway not deviate along by the ditch within the field?

What makes the old railway lines so good for cycling is the fact that they are flat, the old trains couldn't do gradients very well and that infrastructure is still there for the most part.

Zubeneschamali · 12-09-2015 5:37pm

Mullingar to Athlone greenway, view from the bridge at Garrycastle. There is an entrance being built to the Spar car park here.

Planning notice for the next stretch into town:

Schadenfreudia · 13-09-2015 12:36am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Mullingar to Athlone greenway, view from the bridge at Garrycastle.

Were there once double tracks on this line - or was it constructed to allow for an expansion that never came?

Zubeneschamali · 13-09-2015 12:51pm

Yes, it was double track, I think until the 1920s.

See the OS 25" map from 1900ish.

The line in use today (to Clara) was always single track.

plodder · 08-12-2015 10:47pm

There was a report just there on Ear to the Ground about this. The Dublin Galway greenway is completed (or nearly) as far as Athlone, but the plans have stalled from Athlone to Galway due to lack of agreement with farmers. It sounds a bit like the route was drawn up without a whole lot of consultation with landowners. Hopefully, with a bit of face to face engagement these problems can be overcome - maybe by running it along the edges of fields rather than dividing them etc.

Zubeneschamali · 08-12-2015 11:00pm

plodder wrote: »

Hopefully, with a bit of face to face engagement these problems can be overcome

If you pay them boom development prices for the land, then no worries.

If you don't, expect to land in court, and lose.

plodder · 08-12-2015 11:11pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If you pay them boom development prices for the land, then no worries.

If you don't, expect to land in court, and lose.

I don't think it's as black and white as that. A third of landowners have said they are willing to co-operate, even as it is. So, maybe with some better engagement, and changing of route etc. that can be improved. They managed it down in Mayo with the greenway down there.

Pete_Cavan · 09-12-2015 9:24am

plodder wrote: »

There was a report just there on Ear to the Ground about this. The Dublin Galway greenway is completed (or nearly) as far as Athlone, but the plans have stalled from Athlone to Galway due to lack of agreement with farmers. It sounds a bit like the route was drawn up without a whole lot of consultation with landowners. Hopefully, with a bit of face to face engagement these problems can be overcome - maybe by running it along the edges of fields rather than dividing them etc.

This lack of consultation thing is a red herring, how could they have consulted with landowners before a route was known? Just like with roads, a general route corridor, probably a couple of hundred metres wide, is identified and then, following consultation, the exact route to the metre is selected. Doing it any other way is putting the cart before the horse and talking to several thousand landowners between Athlone and Galway in a corridor stretching from Moylough to Loughrea, most of whom would be nowhere near the eventual route. There are other things that have to be considered in selecting a route, like ecologically sensitive areas or flood planes which will affect the route which need to be identified at an early stage to avoid wasting peoples time. No doubt the final greenway will run along the edges of fields rather than dividing them, the farmers just want to present it as something that will destroy their livelihood in order to win public support.

plodder · 09-12-2015 10:16am

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

This lack of consultation thing is a red herring, how could they have consulted with landowners before a route was known? Just like with roads, a general route corridor, probably a couple of hundred metres wide, is identified and then, following consultation, the exact route to the metre is selected. Doing it any other way is putting the cart before the horse and talking to several thousand landowners between Athlone and Galway in a corridor stretching from Moylough to Loughrea, most of whom would be nowhere near the eventual route. There are other things that have to be considered in selecting a route, like ecologically sensitive areas or flood planes which will affect the route which need to be identified at an early stage to avoid wasting peoples time. No doubt the final greenway will run along the edges of fields rather than dividing them, the farmers just want to present it as something that will destroy their livelihood in order to win public support.

Roads are trickier though once the general corridor is identified. You can be a lot more flexible with a greenway. The Mayo one for instance has 90 degree turns to skirt around individual properties. So, there is more scope for negotiation about the exact route. My understanding as well is that the approach being taken is deliberately "permissive" in that the state isn't going to have the threat of a CPO in its back pocket, to move things along. I don't see it happening without the agreement of landowners.

Pete_Cavan · 09-12-2015 10:53am

plodder wrote: »

Roads are trickier though once the general corridor is identified. You can be a lot more flexible with a greenway. The Mayo one for instance has 90 degree turns to skirt around individual properties. So, there is more scope for negotiation about the exact route. My understanding as well is that the approach being taken is deliberately "permissive" in that the state isn't going to have the threat of a CPO in its back pocket, to move things along. I don't see it happening without the agreement of landowners.

Of course negotiation and consultation with landowners is needed, my comment is in relation to when consultation can take place. A general route via Ballinasloe and Loughrea was selected and then consultation with landowners in that area can happen. Opening consultation with landowners earlier than that, before any route has been identified, would mean talking to every landowner in the diamond with Athlone, Loughrea, Galway and Moylough as the corners. That’s a huge area with a lot of landowners and only a small proportion of them will be on the final route. And even after talking to them, it may then turn out that there is are archaeological/ecological/engineering reasons why certain places wont work so it wont affect some of the landowners. That is why I say talking to every landowner between Athlone and Galway is putting the cart before the horse. Do they really need to be talking to some fella who owns a few acres in Mountbellew about a greenway potentially going through his land any for it later to be revealed that the actual greenway will be 30km away?

hardCopy · 09-12-2015 11:26am

plodder wrote: »

Roads are trickier though once the general corridor is identified. You can be a lot more flexible with a greenway. The Mayo one for instance has 90 degree turns to skirt around individual properties. So, there is more scope for negotiation about the exact route. My understanding as well is that the approach being taken is deliberately "permissive" in that the state isn't going to have the threat of a CPO in its back pocket, to move things along. I don't see it happening without the agreement of landowners.

In Mayo the plan was to follow the old railway alignment as close as possible so they had effectively chosen a corridor and only deviated where there were objections or obstacles

Zubeneschamali · 09-12-2015 11:29am

hardCopy wrote: »

In Mayo the plan was to follow the old railway alignment as close as possible so they had effectively chosen a corridor and only deviated where there were objections or obstacles

Yes, this is why the Mullingar-Athlone route is straightforward, it's the old railway line.

No such route exists to Galway, although one of the options was to follow the in-service Athlone-Galway line. Not sure how that was to work.

plodder · 09-12-2015 11:31am

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Of course negotiation and consultation with landowners is needed, my comment is in relation to when consultation can take place. A general route via Ballinasloe and Loughrea was selected and then consultation with landowners in that area can happen. Opening consultation with landowners earlier than that, before any route has been identified, would mean talking to every landowner in the diamond with Athlone, Loughrea, Galway and Moylough as the corners. That’s a huge area with a lot of landowners and only a small proportion of them will be on the final route. And even after talking to them, it may then turn out that there is are archaeological/ecological/engineering reasons why certain places wont work so it wont affect some of the landowners. That is why I say talking to every landowner between Athlone and Galway is putting the cart before the horse. Do they really need to be talking to some fella who owns a few acres in Mountbellew about a greenway potentially going through his land any for it later to be revealed that the actual greenway will be 30km away?

Obviously not. So, what is the the current status with the route then? It seemed like these people thought it was definitely planned to go through their land. It seems also there is a lot more scepticism about the very idea of a greenway going through the likes of dairy farms...

plodder · 09-12-2015 11:43am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Yes, this is why the Mullingar-Athlone route is straightforward, it's the old railway line.

No such route exists to Galway, although one of the options was to follow the in-service Athlone-Galway line. Not sure how that was to work.

Definitely, what they are planning is a much more attractive option than following an active railway line. I just hope it works out.

Pete_Cavan · 10-12-2015 4:22pm

plodder wrote: »

Obviously not. So, what is the the current status with the route then? It seemed like these people thought it was definitely planned to go through their land. It seems also there is a lot more scepticism about the very idea of a greenway going through the likes of dairy farms...

Reports on the route selection process here;

http://www.galwaytodublincycleway.ie/#!athlone-castle-to-galway-city/c1zst

Spanish Eyes · 12-12-2015 6:18pm

Hello everyone.

I have just come across this thread. Brilliant information thank you.

I am a walker, not a cyclist, so I hope that is allowed too!

The Greenway concept is a fantastic one. Off road, quiet (mostly) and hopefully services nearby if one wants to walk or cycle a very long route like the Dub-Galway.

Have walked the Mayo Greenway, and it was wonderful.

Are there any route maps for the Dub-Galway route.

One thing that gets me is that there is precious little publicity about many of the options mentioned in this thread. Why is it that I had to discover all about these greenways here, just by accident!

I hope there are thousands of them very soon.

No FAT TAX required, just get us out walking/cycling. What could be a better use of tax money anyway.

Thanks to all contributors. I so enjoyed reading the thread.

Carawaystick · 13-12-2015 8:57pm

"Spanish wrote:

Are there any route maps for the Dub-Galway route.

The route only exists as far as Athlone, from Dublin
There are maps on the waterways Ireland or iwai site of the section along the Royal Canal the whole length to the Shannon
The greenway turns off the Royal canal at Mullingar, I haven't seen any detailed maps of this bit but it is the old railway line, which will be on most maps

Irish_rat · 13-12-2015 10:01pm

The more Greenways in this country, the better. With running and cycling becoming very popular, it will be great to have these facilities on own doorstep.

I'm currently training for a marathon and use the Great Southern Trail from Abbeyfeale to Newcastle West on my long runs. It really is a godsend, no pollution, traffic and distractions. Surface is in good condition throughout. It's surrounded by trees/ditches on the most part and protects you from crosswinds apart from one or two embankments!

My only gripe is with the fences/gates, it can become a hindrance having to push a few to access the next section and disrupt your activity. This is seen around Newcastle West a lot. From Barna to Abbeyfeale there is nothing in the way.

hardCopy · 14-12-2015 4:11pm

Irish_rat wrote: »

The more Greenways in this country, the better. With running and cycling becoming very popular, it will be great to have these facilities on own doorstep.

I'm currently training for a marathon and use the Great Southern Trail from Abbeyfeale to Newcastle West on my long runs. It really is a godsend, no pollution, traffic and distractions. Surface is in good condition throughout. It's surrounded by trees/ditches on the most part and protects you from crosswinds apart from one or two embankments!

My only gripe is with the fences/gates, it can become a hindrance having to push a few to access the next section and disrupt your activity. This is seen around Newcastle West a lot. From Barna to Abbeyfeale there is nothing in the way.

Loads of these gates on the Great Western Greenway as well, they're a curse. Seems to be pot luck as to which ones are open or closed.

blackbird 49 · 31-03-2016 9:06pm

Was cycling the Oldbridge Boardwalk/ greenway today, great place to bring kids especially if they want to ride their bikes, but why oh why do we always have people in this country who have to spoil things, the amount of dog s**t along the boardwalk was disgusting, while there is no dog boxes ( and to honest I don't think it would make much difference to some people) you could still pick it up, Oldbridge house have them or the park where the playground is have them, Rant over, Thanks

Deedsie · 31-03-2016 10:36pm

blackbird 49 wrote: »

Was cycling the Oldbridge Boardwalk/ greenway today, great place to bring kids especially if they want to ride their bikes, but why oh why do we always have people in this country who have to spoil things, the amount of dog s**t along the boardwalk was disgusting, while there is no dog boxes ( and to honest I don't think it would make much difference to some people) you could still pick it up, Oldbridge house have them or the park where the playground is have them, Rant over, Thanks

Some Irish people unfortunately are thoughtless and beyond inconsiderate of others: The litter on our streets, parks and countryside, graffiti, damage to property etc.
The complete ignorance of the rules of the road from some people when they drive, cycle or walk.
The behaviour of some people with alcohol taken, fighting, damaging property or leaving cans or beer bottles on the street. (Colleges of Ireland, I'm looking at you)

People are commending various phrases of the proclamation of independence for the last two weeks. One phrase I wish that was focused on more was "the common good"... As a people have we any civic pride?

Schadenfreudia · 01-04-2016 12:13am

Deedsie wrote: »

Some Irish people unfortunately are thoughtless and beyond inconsiderate of others: The litter on our streets, parks and countryside, graffiti, damage to property etc.

Indeed...but that is hardly an "Irish" thing.

Just say "some people" and you'd not compromise the truth of your statement.

Deedsie · 01-04-2016 12:30am

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

Indeed...but that is hardly an "Irish" thing.

Just say "some people" and you'd not compromise the truth of your statement.

I agree completely, but this is Ireland and the "some people" who litter our beeches, damage our public property, pollute our waterways, don't recycle their waste etc are for the most part Irish people.

And the relevance of stating the fact that it is some Irish people doing this damage is that we as a society can try stop the people damaging our environment. Better education programmes, severe penalties for non compliance, nationwide schemes to better our towns, cities and countryside (tidy towns etc), name and shame Irish polluters etc

It's national spring clean month right now but it's not exactly widely advertised... Perhaps if the national media were to get involved it could become a national success story.

Perhaps some of our prison inmates should be educated on pollution and litter issues and required to participate in cleaning up the areas where the committed their crimes as part of their sentence.

garancafan · 01-04-2016 12:40am

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

Indeed...but that is hardly an "Irish" thing.

Just say "some people" and you'd not compromise the truth of your statement.

So, while you feel that the term "Irish" compromises the truth of the statement, you do not feel the same about the term "colleges of Ireland".

Deedsie · 01-04-2016 12:48am

garancafan wrote: »

So, while you feel that the term "Irish" compromises the truth of the statement, you do not feel the same about the term "colleges of Ireland".

Colleges of Ireland comment may have been a little harsh but regularly I see cans and bottles at bus stops near UCD and I had the misfortune of being in Trinity last week when UCD v Trinity played each other in a rugby match. Despite the fact that there were 5 large recycling bins ten metres from where the spectators were standing the absolute filth of the place after the match. Cans of beer, broken bottles, boxes etc just left on the ground.

I bracketed colleges of Ireland because it's not really fair to blame them in anyway. Just a personal gripe of mine from the last few weeks. My target was college students rather than the colleges themselves.

Schadenfreudia · 01-04-2016 12:49am

garancafan wrote: »

So, while you feel that the term "Irish" compromises the truth of the statement, you do not feel the same about the term "colleges of Ireland".

Wha?

garancafan · 01-04-2016 1:38am

Schadenfreudia wrote: »

Wha?

So, while you feel that the term "Irish" compromises the truth of the statement, you do not feel the same about the phrase "colleges of Ireland".

My error. Does that make it clearer?

Schadenfreudia · 01-04-2016 9:39am

garancafan wrote: »

So, while you feel that the term "Irish" compromises the truth of the statement, you do not feel the same about the phrase "colleges of Ireland".

My error. Does that make it clearer?

No idea what you are referring to....

spacetweek · 02-04-2016 8:47am

Back on topic please.

Anyone anything to say about greenways?

blackbird 49 · 02-04-2016 10:48am

Did the athlone greenway on Easter Monday from athlone to moate, I thought it was Brillant, no traffic to worry about and it was great weather on the day

Greenways [greenway map of Ireland in post 1]

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