Athlone to Galway greenway route draws mixed response

The emerging preferred route corridor for the Athlone to Galway greenway has been finalised by the Ballinasloe-based project team – and it’s the Red Route 5, with a link to Ballinasloe town

The route will pass through Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe, Clonfert, Meelick, Portumna, Woodford, Gort, Coole Park, Kinvara, Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge, Rinville, Oranmore and Ballyloughane Beach, before reaching Galway city.

“The preferred route corridor is very well defined where routing appears straightforward, through state owned lands,” said Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon.

“Elsewhere the corridor has been left much wider, so that ongoing engagement with landowners can continue, to form the basis of a defined route within the corridor.”

The decision will cause considerable disappointment for those whose towns will miss out; the five routes being considered varied from a straight line between Athlone and Galway city, to looping routes which take in large parts of the north-east or south-east of the county.

One local councillor expressed her disappointment that the preferred route does not include the town of Athenry. Councillor Shelley Herterich Quinn says the decision to choose a route which leaves out Athenry is a huge blow for the area.

But Deputy Cannon, who is a major advocate for the development of greenways nationally, welcomed the announcement which he said would transform South and East Galway.

“This is a very important milestone in the development of our national greenway network and I’m delighted to see that so many communities across South and East Galway are going to benefit,” he said.

“To think that tourists will be able to cycle on a completely segregated greenway from Dublin to Galway within the next five years, and will be passing through our local towns and villages is really exciting.”

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