Dublin to Galway Greenway: I Nearly Fell Off My Chair

 

It's been a very long time since I updated this blog.

Not because I lost interest in the Dublin to Galway Greenway. Quite the opposite. I stopped posting because, for years, there simply wasn't any progress to report.

The project seemed to drift into limbo. Announcements were made, routes were discussed, consultations were held, but then everything went quiet. Like many people who dreamed of cycling from Dublin to Galway on a dedicated greenway, I began to wonder if it would ever happen.

So when I saw this week's news, I nearly fell off my chair.

After years of dormancy, Transport Infrastructure Ireland has approved the progression of the first section of the Galway to Athlone Greenway. The initial phase will be a 27-kilometre route linking Athlone and Shannonbridge, with an investment of approximately €10 million.

For anyone who has followed this project, that is a genuinely significant development.

Why This Matters

The Dublin to Galway Greenway has always been about more than just another cycling route.

It has the potential to create one of Europe's great long-distance greenway journeys, connecting the east and west of Ireland through towns, villages, waterways and some of the country's most beautiful landscapes.

For years, Athlone has felt like the natural gateway to the west. Yet the route beyond Athlone appeared stuck. The preferred route was announced in 2023, but little happened afterwards, leading many of us to fear that the project had quietly stalled.

This week's announcement changes that narrative.

The authorities have decided to advance the project in phases, beginning with Athlone to Shannonbridge as a standalone scheme. Another priority section will progress from Galway City to Kinvara.

While this is not the full greenway many of us ultimately want to see, it is something arguably more important right now: movement.

The Importance of Athlone to Shannonbridge

The proposed route follows a fascinating corridor.

Starting at Athlone's Mary O'Rourke Bridge, it will travel along the Shannon, pass Athlone Castle, cross the Shannon Callows and continue towards Shannonbridge.

Anyone familiar with the area knows how spectacular this landscape can be. The Callows are one of Ireland's most unique natural environments, and a greenway through this region could become a major attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

The project also opens future possibilities for connections to Clonmacnoise and other developing trail networks across the Midlands.

A Reality Check

There is still a long road ahead.

The Athlone to Shannonbridge section requires planning approval and there is no confirmed completion date. The remaining sections towards Galway will depend on funding, environmental considerations and future prioritisation.

We've all seen projects delayed before, so nobody should be booking a celebratory Dublin-to-Galway cycle just yet.

But after years of hearing very little, this feels different.

The key phrase in the announcement is that TII has approved the "further progression" of the project. That means the greenway is no longer sitting on a shelf gathering dust.

Why I'm Excited Again

I've always believed the Dublin to Galway Greenway would be transformational.

Not just for cyclists, but for tourism, local businesses, rural communities and sustainable travel. Ireland has seen what greenways can do in places like Mayo, Waterford and Westmeath. A route stretching across the country would be on another level entirely.

For the first time in years, I feel optimistic again.

The dream of cycling from Dublin to Galway entirely on dedicated greenway infrastructure is still some distance away. But this week's announcement is a reminder that the project is alive.

And after so many years with nothing to report, that's enough to make me start writing again.

Watch this space.