In recent times, there has been a lot of interest in various Greenway projects around the country. These are mostly based on old railway routes and many communities are investigating where new ones can be established in their areas.
The Westport to Achill Greenway in Co.Mayo is a big tourist attraction with many people renting out bikes to cycle it. It covers 42kms and cost €5.7 million to develop.
The most recent route to be completed was the Deise Greenway from Waterford City to Dungarvan. This is 46kms in length and cost €15 million to develop. It has a combination of mountain and coastal views and is well worth a look if you are in the area.
In Cork, there is interest in extending the old rail line from Cork to Carrigaline as well as some proposals for the old line from Midleton to Youghal. There has also been some renewed interest in trying to develop parts of the old line from Dungarvan to Mallow.
The map above shows the old rail line from Fermoy to Mallow which closed in March 1967. Several sections of the line have now gone although it still remains in some places. There was some interest expressed in the Avondhu Press newspaper recently and those articles can be seen in the appendix below.
The most likely section for development is the one that goes east from Fermoy to Clondulane and crosses over the famous Carrickabrick viaduct (pictured above) which featured in the WWI film The Blue Max. Planning for this viaduct walkway was granted in 2015 although it may not go as far as Clondulane.
As for the section between Dungarvan and Fermoy, this has now been largely erased by farmers. It's difficult to see how it could be re-instated and linked up to the Deise Greenway.
Obviously any new greenway or trail development would be great news for runners and walkers as it opens up a lot of safe options for training and exercising.
Appendix...
Viaduct walkway takes another step... Irish Independent (Jan 2015)
Fermoy Viaduct plans up in the air?... Avondhu Press (June 2017)
Fermoy to Mallow Greenway? Why not?... Avondhu Press (June 2017)
Decades-old decision may hold up greenway plans (June 2017)
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