‘Serious re-think’ of greenway proposal

Further doubt has been cast over the viability of a much-talked-about plan to create a greenway between Ballina and Dromineer.

The proposed ‘Lough Derg Greenway’ is to be a scenic 24km pedestrian and cycle path along the lake.

A number of potential routes have been identified and extensive engagement has taken place with local landowners, but little progress has been made since Tipperary Co Council introduced the proposal in 2022.

At last week’s meeting of the council, Cllr Phyll Bugler noted that the matter remains “under review” after Transport Infrastructure Ireland referred comments on the greenway proposal back to the council in November 2024.

The council is preparing responses to TII’s “extensive comments”.

Cllr Bugler wondered about how much money the council had spent on consultants on the plan. She did not want to see any more money spent if the plan is “going nowhere”.

She pointed out that a lot of landowners would be affected by the greenway. “People need to know,” Cllr Bugler said about the council’s intentions.

‘CHALLENGING’

Senior Executive Engineer John Nolan outlined the difficulties in trying to find a suitable route for the greenway. The routes identified are either too steep or take in farmyards or entrances. A route could be developed along the lakeshore, but sections of the shore are not usable and the greenway is intended as one continuous route.

“To say it’s challenging is an understatement,” Mr Nolan commented.

He added that TII has pointed the council towards a “serious rethink” of the greenway and this has thrown up questions about the proposal.

“Are TII going to fund it? Is it viable? Do we go back to the drawing board and do a smaller scheme?”

Cllr Bugler said the best route to take would be the one using ESB land along the lakeshore.

Mr Nolan replied that this route envisages using land acquired by the ESB at the time of the Shannon Scheme.

The edge of the lake is interrupted by sections of silt and scrub, while the council’s intention is to develop a continuous, uninterrupted route.

Cllr John Carroll agreed that clarity is needed over the situation. A lot of farmers would be affected by the greenway and have expressed concerns about it, he said.

500 SUBMISSIONS

The council received around 500 submissions in the second public consultation on the plan in early 2023.

Five potential routes have been identified, which, depending on selection, may include such sites as the Graves of the Leinstermen, the Millennium Cross, Lookout, Castlelough, Garykennedy and Youghal Quay.

It is envisaged that the Lough Derg route would link in with other greenway plans, including that of the 40km Limerick-Killaloe-Scariff route on the opposite side of the lake.

Ultimately, it is intended that the Lough Derg Greenway would form part of the proposed national cycle network, which would link it with the major towns and cities of Ireland through a dedicated network of greenways.