The Future of Ireland's Greenways and Cycle Network
€67m in greenway funding, a 3,500 km National Cycle Network and the routes due to open next. What the coming phase means for riders.
Introduction
Irish cycling infrastructure spent a decade growing quietly. It is now being funded at a different scale. The government’s €67 million greenway investment for 2025 and a broader €360 million active-travel package have accelerated the “greenway revolution”. With 24 km of new greenways slated for delivery this year and 60 schemes moving through planning, the island is on track to create a 3,500 km National Cycle Network (NCN) that will link towns, tourist attractions and workplaces from Buncrana to Kinsale. Most of that network is still on paper. What follows is where the money is going, which routes are genuinely under construction, and what a cyclist can usefully do about any of it now.
The Greenway Revolution So Far
A brief history
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2015 | First national greenway (Great Western Greenway) opens |
| 2019 | Government launches the National Cycle Network concept |
| 2022 | €290 m Active Travel Programme announced |
| 2024 | 400 km of greenways already in use; 900 km confirmed under regional schemes |
| 2025 | €67 m greenway allocation for 2025, delivering 24 km of new routes |
The 2025 allocation, announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, is dedicated to walking and cycling facilities that are safe, sustainable and capable of supporting both leisure and commuter traffic. It also funds planning and design for 60 additional schemes, ranging from coastal routes in Fingal to inland trails linking Limerick to Scarriff.
Why the surge now?
- Climate commitments: Ireland aims to cut transport emissions by 51 % by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
- Vision Zero: The road-safety strategy targets zero fatalities or serious injuries by 2050, with segregated cycling corridors a cornerstone.
- Economic recovery: Greenways boost rural tourism, generate jobs and encourage local business growth, especially in post-COVID recovery zones.
The National Cycle Network: The Spine of Irish Cycling
The NCN is a strategic framework of 85 corridors that will eventually span 3,500 km. It is designed to bring 80 % of households and 89 % of jobs within 5 km of a safe cycle route.
Current status (2025)
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Existing, fully-operational greenways | ~400 km |
| Confirmed routes under regional programmes | ~900 km |
| New construction required | ~2,200 km |
| Phase 1 (2024-2025) | 400 km operational, 24 km delivered in 2025 |
| Phase 2 (2026-2030) | 660 km targeted |
| Phase 3 (2031-2040) | 2,510 km targeted |
The network is split into primary nodes (cities & towns >20,000 residents, e.g., Dublin, Cork, Galway), secondary nodes (10,000-20,000 residents and major tourist sites), and other nodes (small villages, campuses, transport hubs). This hierarchy ensures that over 2.8 million people will have direct access to a high-quality cycling corridor.
Upcoming Greenway Projects: What’s on the Horizon?
Below are the key schemes moving from design to construction in the next five years. Note how many sit at planning stage. Dates at that stage tend to move.
| Project | Length (km) | Status 2025 | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingal Coastal Way | 30-35 | Planning (design stage) | Coastal views from Balbriggan to Malahide, links to Broadmeadow Greenway (2026 opening) |
| Limerick-Scarriff Greenway | 70 | Planning | Connects Limerick City to the scenic Shannon region; supports tourism in the Mid-West |
| Burtonport-Letterkenny Greenway | 85 | Planning | Northwest coastal route, expected to boost Donegal’s rural tourism |
| Arklow-Shillelagh Greenway | 45 | Planning | East-Coast link crossing the Wicklow Mountains, integrates with Wicklow Way walking trail |
| South Kerry Greenway (extension) | 20 (additional) | Construction (2025-2027) | Enhances the Ring of Kerry cycling experience |
| Grand Canal Greenway, Phase 2 | 11 (new segment) | Design (2025) | Extends the existing 11 km segment from Sallins to Alymers Bridge |
| South East Greenway (Waterford-Wexford) | 50 | Construction (2025-2028) | Provides a low-traffic corridor for commuters and tourists |
All projects are part of the €67 m 2025 greenway allocation and will benefit from the wider €293 m Active Travel Programme for associated infrastructure such as bridges, signage and secure bike parking.
Funding Landscape and Policy Framework
The €360 million active-travel package (2025)
| Component | Funding |
|---|---|
| Greenways (walking & cycling) | €67 m |
| National Roads Active Travel (segregated lanes, bridges, crossings) | €293 m |
| Total | €360 m |
The Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) administers these funds in partnership with local authorities, ensuring that projects meet national standards for safety, accessibility and environmental impact.
Policy drivers
- National Cycle Network Strategy (2024-2030): Sets delivery milestones and performance metrics.
- Vision Zero (Road Safety): Requires segregation where feasible and promotes education campaigns.
- Climate Action Plan (2022-2030): Links active travel to emissions reduction targets.
- Tourism Development Programme: Provides additional co-funding for routes with high visitor potential.
Benefits of the Expanding Network
Economic uplift
- Tourism revenue: Greenways attract 30-40 % more overnight stays in regions with a new route (e.g., the Great Western Greenway generated €12 m in 2023).
- Local business growth: Cafés, bike-rental shops and B&Bs see an average 15 % sales increase after a greenway opens.
- Job creation: Construction and maintenance generate ~1,200 full-time equivalent jobs per 100 km of new route.
Health and wellbeing
- Physical activity: Regular cycling can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30 %, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
- Mental health: Access to green spaces improves mood and reduces stress, especially in rural communities.
Environmental impact
- Emission savings: If 5 % of car trips within 5 km of a greenway switch to cycling, the network could cut ≈120,000 t CO₂ annually by 2030.
- Biodiversity: Many routes incorporate wild-life corridors and use sustainable construction methods.
Challenges and How They’re Being Tackled
| Challenge | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Land acquisition & rights-of-way | Early engagement with landowners, use of public-interest compulsory purchase where necessary, and offering community benefit agreements. |
| Design consistency | Adoption of the Irish Cycling Infrastructure Design Guidelines (ICIDG) to ensure uniform signage, surface quality and safety features. |
| Connectivity gaps | Prioritising “link-routes” that bridge existing corridors, such as the upcoming Fingal Coastal-Broadmeadow connector. |
| Funding continuity | Multi-year budgeting and public-private partnership (PPP) pilots, e.g., a sponsorship model for the Burtonport-Letterkenny route. |
| User safety | Increased traffic calming, dedicated bike-only bridges, and real-time incident reporting via the CyclingIreland app. |
What Cyclists Can Do Now
- Explore existing routes: Use the CyclingIreland map (updated 2025) to plan rides on the 400 km already operational greenways.
- Join local advocacy groups: Organisations such as Bike Dublin, Greenways.ie, and Cycling Ireland hold regular public consultations on upcoming projects.
- Provide feedback: Submit comments during the TII planning stages (deadline for most 2025 schemes: 30 June 2025) via the government portal.
- Support sustainable tourism: Choose bike-friendly accommodation and rent locally-owned bikes to boost the economies that greenways serve.
- Stay safe: Equip your bike with lights, reflective gear and a Helmet (mandatory for riders under 18) and respect the segregated lane rules.
Looking Ahead: 2030 and Beyond
- By 2030: Expect ≈1,060 km of the NCN to be operational (the 660 km Phase 2 plus early Phase 3 completions). This will provide a continuous coast-to-coast spine from Buncrana to Kinsale.
- By 2040: The full 3,500 km network should be in place, delivering near-universal access for commuters, schools and tourists.
- Technology integration: Plans include smart-bike lanes with sensor-based lighting, real-time traffic data for cyclists, and e-bike charging stations at key nodes.
- Community-led extensions: Emerging “micro-greenways” (short, locally-managed routes) will complement the national network, fostering grassroots ownership.
Conclusion
The gap between the policy and the tarmac is closing, slowly. The €67 million 2025 allocation, the 3,500 km National Cycle Network roadmap and the schemes listed above are commitments with budgets attached. What they are not yet is surface you can ride on. Most of that arrives in the 2030s. For towns on the route, the payoff is overnight stays and passing trade; for the state, it counts towards the climate targets and Vision Zero aspirations.
In the meantime the practical response is straightforward: ride what is already open, submit comments while the consultations are still running, and be patient about the rest.