Minister dismisses 'cynical' claims that Adare bypass only approved due to Ryder Cup

Bypass forms part of the wider Foynes to Limerick Road project

Niall Collins said Adare has been waiting 40 years for the bypass. File picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Fianna Fáil minister of state Niall Collins has dismissed as “cynical” suggestions that a bypass in the Limerick town of Adare has only been approved because the 2027 Ryder Cup will be held in the town.

The bypass, which forms part of the wider Foynes to Limerick Road project, is due to be completed by June 2027 ahead of the tournament being held at Adare Manor the following September.

Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell described the bypass as a necessary piece of infrastructure but questioned whether Adare was receiving special treatment because of the tournament.

“The Government had a critical infrastructure bill where they refused to actually define what critical infrastructure is,” she said.

“So, is it now that critical infrastructure depends on what events will be taking place in that area or is it actually based on what you need?” 

Mr Collins said such a view was “cynical”, as the bypass was a “long time in gestation”. He told Newstalk:

"This is the fourth attempt to get the bypass over the line. It’s been 40 years pending and now all of the hurdles have been overcome, and it is a project that is shovel ready."

In response to comments made by Ms Farrell, he said: “You're right to say that it has been expedited by virtue of the Ryder Cup."

Mr Collins said the decision was taken to carve out a 7km section of the Limerick to Foynes road project to allow it be constructed in advance of the Ryder Cup.

He added that Adare has been waiting 40 years for the bypass and that the Government had long supported building the road. It was "at the top of the queue”, he said.

Meanwhile, work has begun on a temporary railway station in the town at a cost of €3m ahead of the Ryder Cup.

Mr Collins said that with a construction cost of €3m, he did not believe the train station would be a temporary one.

The railway station was sold off 13 years ago for over €200,000 and cost €2m to buy back last year for reinstatement as a Ryder Cup rail service, the Irish Examiner reported earlier this month.

On top of the plans for a park and ride facility at Patrickswell, Mr Collins and local councillor Fergus Kilcoyne are seeking an amendment for a train stop in the area, as well as a platform.

It comes as Limerick City and County Council lodged a planning application for a park-and-ride facility at Collopy’s Cross, Attyflin, Patrickswell — close to Adare on the N21.

Part of a wider transport plan for the Ryder Cup, the site is expected to provide more than 3,900 spaces.

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