This scenic cycleway, which connects to the existing Dublin-Athlone Greenway, is intended to form part of an international network of long-distance cycling trails in Europe. The public meetings, which will take place from March 28-31 will afford the opportunity for people to view the preferred route for the 205km stretch, and representatives of the project team will be on hand to answer questions about the route at each event. A planning application for the project will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in quarter three of 2024, after which an oral hearing will take place, according to a spokesperson from Westmeath County Council.
The off-road Galway-Athlone project will create an accessible cycling and walking route from Ballyloughane Beach at Galway city to Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath. It will pass through lands adjacent to Oranmore, Rinville, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, Gort, Woodford, Portumna, Meelick, Clonfert, Ballinasloe and Shannonbridge.
Approximately half of the route will pass through publicly owned land and the remaining half through privately owned lands. In the vast majority of cases where private lands are required, the route traverses around the perimeter of the land holding to avoid severance of that land, according to the council spokesperson.
Project coordinator with Westmeath County Council, Michael Kelly is urging everybody with an interest to attend. “The goodwill and cooperation of the farming community is important to make the cycleway a success and includes real and open engagement with landowners and communities,” he said.
“Where feasible, the route has been amended to address issues identified in our meetings with landowners over the last two years. Meeting one-to-one is best for all concerned so that issues can be discussed in-depth and possible solutions identified.”
The council has highlighted the success of Ireland’s first dedicated cycleway, the Great Western Greenway, in Co. Mayo, which opened in 2011. It attracts over 250,000 people a year and is estimated to be worth over €30 million to the local economy.
The public information events, open from 3pm-8pm, will take place at the:
- Oranmore Lodge Hotel on Tuesday, March 28;
- Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort, on Wednesday, March 29;
- Portumna Town and Community Hall on Thursday, March 30; and
- Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on Friday, March 31.