Plans for a 74-kilometre walking and cycling greenway linking Dungarvan in County Waterford to Mallow in North Cork have been outlined to local councillors, sparking both interest and debate on either side of the county border.
The details of the proposal were reported by WLRFM, highlighting growing attention around the greenway project.
The proposed route would largely follow the abandoned railway line between the two towns and is currently at the feasibility stage. Atkins Consultants, tasked with assessing the project, has already gathered approximately 800 public submissions and consulted with key organisations, including the Irish Farmers Association, to help determine a preferred route.
Garvan Cummins of the voluntary ‘Déise Greenway’ campaign believes the project could be transformative for North Cork communities such as Mallow and Fermoy.
“It’s an investment in rural Ireland that should be grabbed with both hands,” he said. “Greenways are like a cash crop for small communities, bringing visitors, business, and opportunities to towns along the route.”
Cummins highlighted that smaller towns including Clondulane and Glencairn, alongside larger hubs like Fermoy, stand to benefit significantly.
“Health, leisure, economic growth, lower carbon footprint, preservation of the old railway line, and the feel-good factor, this is what Dungarvan has enjoyed, and it can now be replicated all the way to Mallow.”
Supporters point to the success of the Waterford Greenway as a model for how such infrastructure can boost tourism, encourage outdoor activity, and support local enterprise.
For Mallow, the development could bring increased footfall to shops, restaurants, and accommodation providers, while also offering new recreational opportunities for residents.
However, the project is not without controversy. Concerns have been raised by some councillors and landowners regarding its potential impact on private property and the practicality of certain aspects of the route.
Declan Doocey described elements of the proposal as “outrageous,” while Pat Nugent questioned sharp bends along sections of the route and called for aspects of the plan to be reconsidered.
Conor O’Neill emphasised that the project remains at an early stage.
“There is no chosen route yet. We are engaging with landowners and stakeholders to ensure proper consultation. The feasibility stage is just the start, and the process will follow established planning and approval procedures.”
The proposed Dungarvan to Mallow Greenway represents a significant opportunity for North Cork to connect into Ireland’s expanding greenway network.
While questions remain around its final route and impact, the potential economic and recreational benefits for towns like Mallow are already generating considerable optimism.
