County Clare is losing out as one of just three counties in Ireland without a greenway however, a planning bid for first section of West Clare Greenway is expected later this year.
It’s almost five years since Clare County Council announced the appointment of consulting engineers to progress the options, route selection, design and assessment phases of the first section of the Greenway between Kilrush and Kilkee via Moyasta.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has received confirmation however from the Minister for Transport that, subject to funding, planning permission for a key section of the West Clare Greenway is expected to be sought in the second half of 2026.
Deputy Cooney said the update represents a significant step forward for the active travel project.
“The Minister has confirmed to me that, subject to the availability of funding, planning permission for Section One of the Greenway from Kilrush to Kilkee is expected to be sought in the third quarter of 2026,” he said. “This is a very important milestone and reflects the substantial work already undertaken by Clare County Council.”
He also expressed frustration that Clare remains one of only three counties in the country without a greenway.
“For a tourism dependent county like Clare, this is a terrible disadvantage,” he said. “At a time when outdoor recreational tourism is increasingly popular, we are losing out. Clare should not be left behind while other counties benefit from the economic and social advantages greenways bring.”
Section One of the Greenway, from Kilrush to Kilkee, is currently the most advanced element of the overall project. When complete, the Greenway will stretch for approximately 100 kilometres, linking Kilrush with Ennis via Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch and Ennistymon.
Clare County Council is progressing the project broadly along the line of the former West Clare Railway. The Greenway is intended to improve recreation, leisure and amenity opportunities for local communities, while also offering a high quality, sustainable tourism experience for visitors to West and North Clare. It is expected to support local employment and contribute to economic growth in the region.
The project has been divided into four sections for delivery. Section One is at Phase three of Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Project Management Guidelines, which covers design and environmental evaluation. It is being advanced in line with the Code of Best Practice for national and regional greenways.
In a response to Deputy Cooney, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said, “All three non-statutory public consultations covering the study area, route options and emerging preferred corridor have been completed. Engagement with affected households and landowners is ongoing and is generally progressing positively, with one-to-one negotiations well under way. Subject to funding, voluntary land acquisition agreements will continue through 2026, with the aim of reaching mutually beneficial outcomes.”
“It is anticipated, again subject to funding, that the environmental impact assessment report, Natura impact statement, general alignment drawings and land acquisition documentation will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in the third quarter of 2026,” added the Minister.
Deputy Cooney also noted the announcement earlier this month that several greenway projects in Clare will benefit from the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme. These include €500,000 for the Kilrush to Kilkee section of the West Clare Greenway, €350,000 for the O’Briensbridge to Scariff section of the Limerick to Scariff Greenway, €200,000 for the Ennis to Ennistymon Greenway, and €65,000 for the Ennistymon to Miltown Malbay Greenway.
In addition, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has confirmed to Deputy Cooney that section two of the West Clare Greenway, from Ennis to Ennistymon, is currently at Phase two of the TII project management guidelines, which covers option selection. Work on the options selection report is ongoing, and once complete a preferred route corridor will be identified and published, followed by public consultation. This is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“While it is disappointing that Section 4 from Miltown Malbay to Moyasta did not receive funding this year, the progress being made on Sections One and Two and funding to support further development of Section 3 is encouraging,” Deputy Cooney said. “I will continue to engage with the Minister, the Department of Transport and Clare County Council to ensure this project maintains momentum and that further funding opportunities are secured to allow the remaining sections to advance.”