The map of the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) for the proposed Kilbeggan to Mullingar greenway. The route, which begins at Kilbeggan Harbour and ends in Mullingar, is outlined in orange on the map above.

Public consultation event for Kilbeggan, Mullingar greenway

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Mon 16 Jun 2025, 7:13 PM

Members of the public will have an opportunity to make their views known later this week on an ambitious plan by Westmeath County Council to develop the Kilbeggan to Mullingar greenway which will result in the linking up of the two greenways on the Royal and Grand Canals.

The project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), will complete a strategic link between the established greenway infrastructure on the Grand Canal Greenway (linking Kilbeggan to Tullamore) and the Old Rail Trail/Royal Canal Greenways (linking Mullingar with Athlone, Dublin, and Longford).

As part of Phase 3 of the public consulation process, Wesmeath County Council is planning to host an in-person public consultation event in the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar this Thursday, June 19, from 3pm to 8pm at which all those interested are invited to review the proposed route of the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) which has been selected, ask questions and provide feedback.

Two feasible route corridor options for the proposed greenway were identified in 2023, both of which would start at Kilbeggan Harbour in Mullingar, with one corridor to the west of Lough Ennell and the other to the east of the lake. Following feedback from the second round of public consultation in May of last year, at which both routes were displayed, an Emerging Preferred Route Corridor has now been identified.

The EPRC starts at Kilbeggan Harbour and includes both Carrick Wood and Belvedere House and Gardens as it travels towards Mullingar to the east of Lough Ennell. A corridor linking it to Lilliput Adventure Centre is also proposed before the greenway joins up with the Old Rail Trail to the southwest of Mullingar.

Phase 3 of the consultation process will focus solely on the EPRC, and Westmeath County Council are anxious to hear the views of all stakeholders and residents along the proposed route.

Interested parties who are unable to attend the in-person public consultation event on Thursday can make their views known on the virtual cvonsultation platform which was launched today (|Monday, June 16) and can be accessed via the project website www.kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie Feedback on the project and the EPRC can be submitted on the project website and the deadline for submissions is Friday, July 25 next.

Westmeath County Council can also be contacted on the following platforms: • Web: : www.kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie • Email: info@kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie • Tel: 087 671 3210 (9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) as part of the Phase 3 public consultation process on the proposed Kilbeggan to Mullingar greenway.

Project Liaison Officers (PLOs) will be available to meet with landowners along the EPRC by appointment, and they are also available to talk on the phone or by online virtual meeting.

The Westmeath local authority says it welcomes the opportunity to engage with all interested parties on the development of the greenway and is looking forward to receiving feedback from members of the public and all interested stakeholders.