Section of Midleton to Youghal greenway officially open

New 8km link between Midleton and Mogeely village opened on Thursday

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers TD at the opening of phase 1 of the Midleton to Youghalg greenway. Picture: Brian Lougheed

The Midleton to Youghal greenway is receiving its first visitors, five years after it was formally approved.

Blue skies and some blustery wind welcomed about 60 invited guests, including Junior Minister for the Environment and Transport, Jack Chambers.

He cut the ribbon on a new 8km link between Midleton and Mogeely village.

It is anticipated the remaining stretch of the 23km connection to Youghal will be completed by the year’s end.

It is widely hoped the facility will bring much-needed regeneration and employment to villages and other rural communities along the route, such as Killeagh, Mogeely, and Ladysbridge.

The €18.4m project traverses the route of the former rail line linking the two towns and has been fully funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The journey through a landscape largely not seen or travelled for generations creates a route rich in ecological and biodiversity attraction.

The route will eventually traverse Youghal’s Ballyvergan marsh, which is a special area of conservation and lies adjacent to the 1.5km Youghal boardwalk linking Claycastle and Redbarn beaches.

The minister said the quality of the infrastructure and ease of access would “make it more attractive to opt for sustainable transport modes for daily activities as well as meeting the needs of local communities in terms of health, fitness, and connection to nature”. 

The minister also observed the starting point adjacent to Midleton rail station was unique amongst greenways in that it afforded “pedestrians and cyclists a direct onward connection to Cork City and the wider rail network”.

From left: Cork County Council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan; Minister Jack Chambers and Cllr Frank O'Flynn, Mayor of the County of Cork, cutting the ribbon on the new 8km ection of the greenway. Picture: Brian Lougheed

The minister later rejected any suggestion the heavy investment in greenways and cycle corridors may be at the harsh expense of road improvements and repairs, particularly following devastating storm-damaged surfaces. 

A number of protestors from the Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group attended the opening. They said they were not protesting the greenway but wanted to remind the minister about the need for flood defences in the region. 

With visitor numbers predicted to reach 250,000 a year, Cork County Mayor Frank O’Flynn had earlier described the new greenway as “a new beginning for tourism in Cork”.

It was “designed to serve as a hub for recreation, tourism and community engagement” as well as “showcasing the area’s biodiversity, including its railway history”, he said.

The mayor said the new corridor “prioritised the integration of quality design with eco-conscious practices” while promoting “accessible, transportation options”.

Cork County Council chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan said there were “stories to be told, from “the route along the old rail line to the black tree trunks”, all of which deeply connected the greenway to the history and communities of the region.

Not everyone has been overly impressed. Green Party representatives have long argued East Cork would have been better served by restoring the train service between Midleton and Youghal.

Former Green Party member and now Social Democrat councillor Liam Quaide says while he welcomed the greenway, “the decision to construct the greenway along the railway corridor will likely push back and complicate efforts to restore the crucial rail link”.