Two fabulous new walking and cycling routes have been opened in Kerry this Friday, providing a major shot in the arm for the tourist trade in the areas involved.
The two parts of the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways network were officially opened by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, with the projects funded by the Department of Transport and delivered by Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
The 16km Listowel to Abbeyfeale Greenway and the 11km Tralee to Fenit Greenway, which follow the route of former railway lines, are now fully open to walkers and cyclists.
Minister Naughton said: “We have allocated approximately €60 million for Greenways alone this year as well as over €285 million in walking and cycling infrastructure around the country to enable people to safely choose to walk or cycle instead of using the car.”
She added: “The opening of these projects in Kerry today are just some of the many infrastructure schemes we are committed to progressing over the lifetime of the government.”
In a joint statement, Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District, Cllr Aoife Thornton and the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, said: “This is a historic day for the county.
“The opening of new two greenway routes not only enhances the reputation of Kerry as a prime location for walking and cycling infrastructure, it also greatly enhances our tourism offering as well as the local economy”.
“We can look forward in anticipation to the development of a new link between these two greenways as well as the development of the South Kerry greenway and the linking of the various routes which will enable users to enjoy the county’s beautiful landscape,” they said.
Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell acknowledged the support of the Department of Transport in funding the greenways and thanked local landowners and local communities for their cooperation and support.
“I also thank the staff of Kerry County Council who have worked for so many years to develop these essential amenities,” she said.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
N69 Listowel to Abbeyfeale Greenway
The N69 Listowel to Abbeyfeale section of the Kingdom of Kerry Greenway includes a 16km stretch of greenway from Listowel town centre to the Limerick county bounds. It has been developed along a disused railway line and will link to the Limerick Greenway which extends from Abbeyfeale for 50km into Co Limerick. When the Listowel to Fenit phases of the greenway are complete, it will extend over 90km in length from Limerick to Fenit.
Tralee to Fenit Greenway
The Tralee to Fenit Greenway consists of the construction of a 11.2km greenway on the Tralee to Fenit old railway line. It stretches from the townland of Ballynahoulort in Tralee to the village of Fenit. The greenway will provide locals with a sustainable transport corridor linking Tralee town centre and Tralee Railway Station to Mounthawk at Bracker O’Regan Road. It will also give tourists and recreational cyclists a safe route to enjoy the views over Tralee Bay and provide a key link with the trans-European EuroVelo Route.
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