Dublin City Council Opens Flagship Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3 Scheme

Dublin City Council Opens Flagship Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3 Scheme

Dublin City Council is proud to announce the official opening of Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway. This scheme provides 2.1km of high-quality walking and cycling facilities along the banks of the Royal Canal; extending from Newcomen Bridge, North Strand to Cross Guns Bridge, Phibsborough. There is now a continuous 3.2km walking and cycling route through the north city from Phibsborough to the River Liffey.

This is a complex public infrastructure project that has included a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, high-quality, safe and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling facilities and significant public realm improvements, including a new community plaza. In addition to such active travel upgrades, the scheme has replaced public lighting and CCTV infrastructure along the route and, in partnership with ESB Networks, laid ducting for future electricity network upgrades.  

This scheme is the outcome of a collaborative effort between Dublin City Council, Waterways Ireland, CIÉ and Irish Rail.

This route is part of the 314km Dublin City Council Active Travel Network, a key programme designed to meet Dublin’s growing need for greener transport through better walking, wheeling and cycling facilities. 

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam, speaking about the Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3, said: “This is a fantastic scheme for the local community and for the North Inner City, as well as for Dublin at large. The Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3 provides a beautiful public amenity in an important, historic part of the city. As a local, I will be an enthusiastic user of the scheme myself and look forward to experiencing the benefits of the safe, segregated walking and cycling infrastructure and much-enhanced public realm. It is heartening to see the area around Croke Park transformed into a beautiful, peaceful outdoor space, and I encourage people to come out with their families and experience it themselves.”

He continued: “As this is the third phase of the Royal Canal Greenway that has been delivered by Dublin City Council, its launch showcases our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure in the city. I look forward to the delivery of the fourth and final phase, which will extend the route to Ashtown.”

Speaking at the launch, Paschal Donohoe T.D., Minister for Finance, said: “As a former Minister for Transport, local T.D., and now Minister for Finance, it is gratifying to see the Government’s vision of a greener, more connected Ireland come to life in such an important part of the city and along such an iconic landmark as the Royal Canal. 

With the Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3, this space has been transformed into a valuable public good. We are delighted to invest in such active travel projects and will continue to support the development of the Active Travel Network. This is because the value of investing in active travel is proven to be worthwhile not only in terms of transport efficiency, but also in terms of achieving a wide range of economic, social, health, and environmental benefits.

Creating this oasis in the city and opening the Greenway to more people to walk, wheel or cycle will connect communities, foster positive relationships and stimulate local business activity. I know that I will be using this infrastructure myself, and I encourage everyone to give it a go.”

The long-term aim is that the Dublin parts of the greenway will link up to the 130km Royal Canal Greenway, which is Ireland’s longest greenway and runs from Maynooth to Cloondara. The Maynooth to Cloondara stretch of the Royal Canal Greenway was launched in 2021 and has been very popular, resulting in significant societal benefits (including economic benefits) and winning international awards. Once complete, there will be a world-class Greenway running along the 200-year-old, 146-kilometre Royal Canal, connecting the River Liffey to the River Shannon.

Darragh O’Brien T.D., Minister for Transport, said: “This scheme, which forms part of the National Cycle Network, exemplifies what can be done when we focus on delivering best-in-class infrastructure to attract and enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle as an alternative to private car use. It also demonstrates the importance of building linkages and a connected network. Because this phase of the Royal Canal links to previous phases, a person can now walk, wheel or cycle safely and with ease from Spencer Dock to Phibsborough. This scheme also connects to other Dublin City Council active travel schemes, including the Clontarf to City Centre scheme, enabling ease of active travel across the city.”

Interim Chief Executive of the NTA, Hugh Creegan, said: “The opening of this section of the Royal Canal Greenway in Dublin City will provide communities with better, more sustainable travel choices and will help to reduce the number of private cars travelling in and out of the city each day.

Alongside Dublin City Council, the NTA is working with other local authorities to deliver a connected network along the Royal Canal. In Kildare, a section has recently been completed between Maynooth and Leixlip and the section being delivered by Fingal County Council is progressing, with a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála expected next year.  Once fully complete, the Royal Canal Greenway, supported and funded by the NTA, will form a vital spine for active travel across the Greater Dublin Area.”

Speaking at the launch, John Tolan, Marketing and Development Controller, Waterways Ireland, said: “Waterways Ireland’s 10 Year Plan outlines the transformative opportunity to deliver for the public good in Greater Dublin, to reimagine how locals and visitors experience and traverse the city and surrounding areas; to make a climate positive impact through traffic reduction by hosting more journeys on our Greenways.

Waterways Ireland are delighted to mark the official opening of Phase 3 and express our appreciation to all stakeholders for the excellent work in delivering it, alongside the Waterways Ireland team.
The Royal Canal Greenway is the longest greenway in Ireland; Waterways Ireland will continue to collaborate with our partners and stakeholders on the completion of the remaining two sections, which will link the Liffey all the way to the Shannon, and on further enhancing the visitor experience.”

ENDS