Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has announced a three‑fold increase in funding for Clare’s national primary and secondary roads this year, with Clare County Council set to receive €6,581,824.
Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, who made repeated representations to the Department of Transport after last year’s low allocation of just over €2 million, said the funding will deliver significant investment in West and North Clare. He said he wants to see most of the works carried out before the busy tourist season and the major golfing events in Lahinch and Doonbeg this September.
Clare’s national secondary road network is 184 km long, and includes the N67 from Killimer through Kilrush, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay and onwards to North Clare and into Galway; the N68 between Ennis and Kilrush; and the N85 between Ennis and Ennistymon.
The 2026 capital package includes €750,000 for an upgrade of the N85 near Ennistymon from Glen South to Monreel South, as well as funding for Vulnerable Road User (VRU) facilities in Lahinch (€130,000) and Inagh (€75,000). A further €750,000 has been allocated for works at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon and €140,000 for works at Mountcharles Terrace in Kilkee.
Major pavement upgrades on the N68 Ennis to Kilrush Road also feature, including €2.5 million for the Drumeen East to Darragh section, €300,000 for Caherea and €400,000 for the Knockalough to Crag stretch.
The announcement also provides €110,000 for pedestrian and cycle crossings at Clareabbey Roundabout, along with €300,000 for the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road and €40,000 for a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Shanaway Road and the Lahinch Road.
According to Deputy Cooney, “This is very welcome news for Clare. Following last year’s announcement that Clare had received one of the lowest per‑kilometre capital allocations in the State, I raised the issue directly with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney, and I’m glad to see that work reflected in today’s announcement. These investments will make a real difference for communities across West and North Clare.”
“While many rural residents of West and North Clare grudgingly accept the low population density results in lower levels of services and infrastructure, the least they can expect is that they would have a reasonable road to travel on,” he added. “The N85, N68 and N67 are the primary routes for residents to access work in Ennis and Shannon, also the main routes for the millions of tourists who visit West and North Clare annually, one of the principal drivers of the coastal and rural economy in Clare.”
Deputy Cooney expressed his desire to see the majority of the significant works undertaken and completed in the spring ahead of the tourist season and the 51st Walker Cup in Lahinch and Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg in September.
Meanwhile, speaking on the announcement, Clare Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe said:“I am delighted to welcome significant investment in our regional and national roads here in Clare. This funding will make a real difference in communities right across the county allowing safer roads and more efficient journeys.
“I am particularly delighted to see Blake’s Corner included today. This project is critical across the county, and it is essential the project now proceeds.”
Deputy Crowe went on to say: “Fianna Fáil is committed to maintaining and strengthening our national and regional road networks right across the country. These roads are used daily for many across the county. Today’s investment ensure that our roads remain safe and meet the needs of all road users.
“Investing in road infrastructure is critical for supporting the growth of the local economy, making daily commutes safer and more efficient and for ensuring the road infrastructure we have is sustained into the future.”
Also welcoming the funding, Minister Timmy Dooley said: “I have worked closely with Government colleagues and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure Clare receives strong support across national, regional and local routes.
“This funding will support major pavement renewal schemes, bridge rehabilitation, climate resilience works, safety improvements and strategic connectivity projects right across the county.
“The investment will strengthen road safety, protect the quality of our existing network and support economic activity, tourism and daily commuters. Investment at this level ensures that Clare continues to benefit from reliable, resilient and well maintained roads.
“Strong infrastructure is essential for balanced regional development. I will continue to work to ensure Clare secures its fair share of national investment.”
TII grant allocation to Clare County Council for National Roads 2026 (€6,581,824)
Both NP & NS
Fencing Retrofit 2026 CL – (€25,000)
Local Authority Support (Improvement) 2026 CL – (€120,000)
Safety Support Grant 2026 CL – (€100,000)
National Primary
N19 Shannon Airport Access (€300,000)
National Secondary
N67 Mountcharles Tec. Kilkee RSIS (€140,000)
N67CL Clohanes RSI Type B – (€20,000)
N67CL Doonbeg L2030 Junction RSI – (€10,000)
N67CL Doonbeg Ped Crossing – (€50,000)
N67CL Lahinch VRU Facilities RSI – (€130,000)
N67CL Minister’s Place RSI Implementation – (€20,000)
N67CL/R484 Caherfenick (Doonbeg) Type B – (€20,000)
N68 Cranny Cross RSIS – (€20,000)
N68CL Rocky Road Roundabout VRU Facilities – (€30,000)
N85 Shanaway Lahinch Road Pedestrian Crossing Ennis RSIS – (€40,000)
N85CL Clareabbey Roundabout pedestrian/cycle crossings RSIS – (€110,000)
N85CL Inagh VRU Facilities RSIS – (€75,000)
N67/N85 Blake’s Corner – (€750,000)
N68 Cahera Pavement – (€300,000)
N68 Drumeen East to Derragh Pavement – (€2,500,000)
N68 Knockalough to Crag Pavement – (€400,000)
N85 Glen South to Monreel South Pavement – (€750,000)
Both NP & NS
Local Authority Support (Maintenance) – (€14,200)
Local Authority Support (Winter Maintenance – (€10,000)
National Primary
NP Motorway MMaRC (€119,123)
National Secondary
NS Ordinary Maintenance (€237,009)
NS Route Lighting (€110,841)
NS Winter Maintenance (€180,651)