Announcement of the Preferred Option

Westmeath County Council, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), wish to
announce to all stakeholders, landowners, members of the public and interested parties the
selection of the Preferred Option for the Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway project.

The project intends to deliver a greenway from Kilbeggan to Mullingar which will form a key
strategic link between the established greenway infrastructure on the Grand Canal
Greenway (linking Kilbeggan to Tullamore) and the Old Rail Trail/ Royal Canal Greenways
(linking Mullingar with Athlone, Dublin, and Longford). The National Cycle Network (NCN)
includes proposals to link Mullingar with Tullamore, which this greenway would facilitate.

The Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway will be a recreational trail, providing tourists,
commuters and leisure users with a dedicated corridor linking Kilbeggan Town to Mullingar
Town. The greenway will be a purposeful recreational facility for use by cyclists, walkers and
other non-motorised users.

The Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) for the project went on display in June
2025, with 193 submissions being received as part of that public consultation. Since then,
the Option Selection Process for the scheme has been finalised. This process considered
submissions and feedback received during the consultation period, along with maximising
the use of state-owned lands and removing areas from the EPRC where it was considered
unlikely that a route would be developed, thereby assisting the Project Team in finalising the
Preferred Option corridor.

This Preferred Option (PO) starts at Kilbeggan Harbour and includes a section north along
the River Brosna to Ballynagore. From here it then continues north to just south of Lough
Ennell. At this point the PO includes a corridor linking it to Lilliput Adventure Centre. The PO
then goes eastwards towards Dalystown before turning north and continuing to the east of
Lough Ennell. The PO includes both Carrick Wood and Belvedere House and Gardens.
From here it continues north around Lough Ennell to Lynn Road before turning northwest to
join with the Old Rail Trail to the southwest of Mullingar.

An overview map of the PO has been enclosed.

This PO map, along with the finalised Options Selection Report is also published on the
project website www.kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie from Wednesday 8th October
2025. There is a hard copy of the report and map available to view in the Westmeath
National Roads Office, which can be arranged by appointment.

Following the selection of the Preferred Option, the next phase of TII’s planning and design
process Phase 3 – Design and Environmental Evaluation has now commenced. This will
involve developing the project design based on both technical and environmental inputs, to a
stage where sufficient levels of detail exist to establish landtake requirements, to identify and
mitigate project impacts, and to progress the project through the statutory processes.

Throughout the Phase 3 process, the Project Team is committed to continuously engaging
with people living, working or who own land and property within the Preferred Option
corridor, however the design of the greenway and identification of the impacts on land and
property will take some time to develop.

In order to inform the design process, the Project Team will first undertake a range of
engineering and environmental site surveys. The design team will be in contact with relevant
landowners to arrange these surveys.

As the site surveys are completed, the preliminary design and environmental evaluation of
the greenway can be progressed. When the design has reached a level of maturity where
informed discussions can take place, the Project Team will consult with directly impacted
landowners in relation to the initial design and its impact on land and property. Thereafter,
feedback will be considered, and amendments may be made, where feasible, before
finalising the design.

If you have any further queries or feedback regarding the project, please do not hesitate to
get in touch via any of the communication channels below to arrange an in-person meeting,
telephone call or virtual meeting.

Website: https://www.kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie/
Email Address: info@kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie
Postal Address: National Roads Office,
Westmeath County Council,
Culleen Beg, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 T2PE.

Telephone: 087 671 3210 (9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday)

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Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 08/10/2025