New local greenway route published

Plans for the Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway have entered their final consultation phase following Westmeath County Council’s announcement of the preferred option route last week. The move marks a major milestone for the project, estimated to cost €36 million, according to a cost–benefit analysis prepared by RPS Group for the council in September 2025.

The analysis found that the economic and social benefits of the project outweigh its construction and maintenance costs. A proposed link to Lilliput Adventure Centre, included in the preferred option, was also deemed economically viable.

The preferred route begins at Kilbeggan Harbour, running north along the River Brosna to Ballinagore before continuing just south of Lough Ennell. From there, it includes a corridor to Lilliput Adventure Centre, then turns towards Dalystown, passing Carrick Wood and Belvedere House and Gardens. The route loops north around Lough Ennell to Lynn Road, where it joins the Old Rail Trail southwest of Mullingar.

According to the cost estimate for the project, more than €24.3 million is expected for main contract works and €2 million for land and property costs, and there are additional allocations for archaeology, supervision, and environmental design. Resurfacing and reconstruction are projected to cost €2.7 million and €4.6 million respectively over the project lifespan, while annual maintenance is expected to cost approximately €104,000 following completion.

Having selected the preferred option, the project has advanced to phase three, design and environmental evaluation, under Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s planning framework.

This phase will refine the route alignment, establish landtake requirements, assessment of environmental impact, and preparation of the scheme for statutory approval.

Westmeath County Council said it remains committed to ongoing engagement with landowners, residents, and communities throughout the design process, noting that identifying specific land impacts “will take some time to develop”.

Many landowners have voiced concerns about how the proposed greenway could affect their livelihoods, citing fears of income loss, land devaluation, farm disruption, and increased legal or operational costs. Submissions raised issues about the use of private farmland, particularly the potential for land severance or compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

They called for the route to follow existing farm boundaries to avoid fragmenting holdings. Some warned that even small land losses could affect herd numbers or compliance with nitrates regulations, while others urged that publicly owned or roadside lands be prioritised instead.

Despite concerns around the Westmeath new development, the feasibility report released to the public last week outlined a range of economic, tourism, and social benefits for Westmeath and the wider midlands and eastern region. By linking the Royal Canal and Grand Canal Greenways, the report states, the project will strengthen the county’s profile as a “sustainable tourism destination,” attracting domestic and international visitors.

It highlights that similar projects, such as the Waterford and Great Western Greenways, have generated millions in revenue, supported hundreds of jobs, and spurred new business ventures.

The Kilbeggan to Mullingar route will connect to the Dublin Galway Cycleway and the EuroVelo 2 route, creating an internationally marketable cycling experience likely to boost multi-day tourism.

Socially, the report found the project will “enhance community connectivity,” providing safe, scenic routes between towns and amenities, encouraging outdoor recreation, while improving quality of life and wellbeing across the region.

Council planners said the preferred route was chosen following a multi-stage public consultation and technical assessment designed to minimise impacts on landowners while “maximising connectivity, accessibility, and community benefit”.

On land acquisition, planners confirmed that discussions with individual landowners will begin following the release of the report, with emphasis on achieving “voluntary land acquisition agreements” CPOs would only be used as “a last resort” if voluntary agreements cannot be reached.

The next stage, involving consultations with landowners, is to begin in the coming weeks. A planning application is due by the end of 2026, with detailed design and procurement of a contractor to follow.

The design and procurement phase is expected to take around two years before construction can begin.