Two new greenway sections are open in Donegal, just in time for spring, much to the delight of walkers, joggers and cyclists.
The Muff to Quigleys Point Greenway and Lifford to Castlefinn Greenway routes were officially opened last Friday, by Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport in the presence of Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.
The Greenways have been constructed as part of the North West Greenway Network Project which will deliver a 46.5km network of cross border Greenways delivered by Donegal County Council in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Transport NI and Sustrans.
Events were held in Naomh Padraig Uisec Chaoin GAA Club and in the CPI Centre in Castlefinn to mark the occasion which were attended by Minister Charlie McConalogue, local Oireachtas members, Members of Donegal County Council, representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Council, the SEUPB, members of the local community, children from nearby schools and staff from the teams that delivered the project.
Council officals, Councillors and local school children with Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Official Opening of Castlefinn to Lifford Greenway. Photo Clive Wasson
Official Opening of Castlefinn to Lifford Greenway by Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications after unveiling a commerative plaque. Photo Clive Wasson
Minister Chambers commented that “The opening of the Donegal sections of the North-West Greenway represents an exciting development for the North-West Region. This cross-border Greenway project has received significant financial support via the INTERREG VA programme which has provided approximately €21.5m with the Department of Transport providing approximately €3m in 2024 to support this project.
“This project is an exemplar initiative of cross border collaboration with Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council working together to realise 46.5km of segregated cycle lanes.
“This project has resulted in two separate Greenway routes connecting Derry to County Donegal. These routes will encourage greater levels of travel via cycling and walking rather than private car use amongst leisure users, tourists, and commuters. In addition, this project will help to ensure coherent cycling infrastructure for individuals travelling between the two jurisdictions. The investment by the Department of Transport to date signals the Government’s commitment to providing high-quality cycle infrastructure that will generate many benefits for cyclists and communities across Ireland.”
Minister Charlie McConalogue , John McLaughlin, CE Donegal County Council and Chief Superintendant Goretti Sheridan at the opening of the new Castlefinn to Lifford Greenway. Photo Clive Wasson
Leas-Cathaoirleach for Donegal County Council Cllr Gerry McMonagle thanked SEUPB and the Department of Transport for the investment and paid tribute to the work undertaken “This is a proud day for the people of Donegal, I would like to praise the staff from Donegal County Council and the contractors who worked in partnership to swiftly deliver these new Greenways, the quality of the workmanship is evident as we stand here today and is a credit to all involved in the project.”
The Muff to Quigleys Point Greenway consists of 5km of new Greenway infrastructure between Muff and the townland of Three Trees near Quigleys Point and builds upon the 2.5km of Greenway already constructed in Muff as part of the North-West Greenway Network project. The project provides onward connection into the centre of Derry City.
Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agrciulture, Food and the Marine with Cllr. Terry Crossan, Leas Cathaoirleach, Inishowen Municipal District, Pearse Crossan and Jack Chambers, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the
Department of Environment, Climate and Communications at the Muff to Quigleys Point Greenway. Photo Clive Wasson
Cllr. Paul Canning, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD and Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Leas Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council at the Official Opening of the Muff to Quigley’s Point Greenway by Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. Photo Clive Wasson
Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with council officals and guests at the Muff to Quigleys Point Greenway. Photo Clive Wasson
The Lifford to Castlefinn Greenway consists of 7.5km of new greenway infrastructure linking Castlefinn to border town of Lifford connecting to the 2.3km of greenway infrastructure constructed in Lifford as part of the North-West Greenway Network project and to the 11.2km of network provided in the Strabane area delivered as part of this initiative.
With the opening of the Muff to Quigleys point and Lifford to Castlefinn Greenways, 17.3km of greenway network has been constructed in County Donegal as part of the North-West Greenway Project. A further 220km of greenway network funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland is planned for County Donegal and is currently progressing through the design process.
This project represents an investment of approximately €34M across both council areas and is primarily funded by the INTERREG VA programme administered by the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) and with the Donegal elements of the project also co-funded by the Department of Transport and Donegal County Council.
Unveiling a plaque is Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with council officals and guests at the Muff to Quigleys Point Greenway. . Photo Clive Wasson
