South Kerry Greenway

52°2′32.4″N 9°57′53.5″W / 52.042333°N 9.964861°W / 52.042333; -9.964861

South Kerry Greenway
The Gleensk Valley viaduct is one of a number of bridges and tunnels due to carry the greenway
Length27 km (17 mi)
LocationCounty Kerry, Ireland
Designationproposed greenway
TrailheadsGlenbeigh, Cahersiveen
UseCycling and Walking
SeasonAny
Surfacehard

The South Kerry Greenway is a proposed greenway rail trail in County Kerry, Ireland. It is intended to be 27 kilometres (17 miles) long when completed and run from Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen.[1] It is an off-road trail intended for use by cyclists and walkers along some of the route of the Farranfore–Valentia Harbour line, which opened 1893 and closed in 1960. The line was operated by the Great Southern and Western Railway.[2]

In July 2021, legal challenges against the greenway planning permissions and associated compulsory purchase orders, as well as environmental impacts, were dismissed. It was announced that leave to appeal applications and further challenges would be assessed in November 2021.[3][4] On 15 October 2021, it was reported that planning permission to construct the greenway was upheld.[5] By December 2021, Supreme Court proceedings had been initiated.[6] On 8 February 2022, the Supreme Court rejected the applications seeking leave for appeal, and Kerry County Council announced that it could "now proceed with the construction of the greenway".[7][8] As of May 2023 the greenway was under construction.[9]

As of December 2023, Kerry County Council proposed that a "main contractor" for the works would be appointed in mid-2024 and that the greenway could be completed by mid-2026.[10] Public consultation on the Cahersiveen to Reenard section began in October 2024.[11]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to South Kerry Greenway.
  1. ^ Carolan, Mary. "High Court rejects legal challenges to 27km south Kerry greenway". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  2. ^ O'Sullivan, Joan (19 February 2010). "The railway line from Farranfore to Valentia harbour in Co Kerry". Nationwide. RTÉ. Retrieved 13 July 2021 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ O’Faolain, Aodhan. "Two legal challenges aim to halt 32 km South Kerry Greenway". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  4. ^ O'Loughlin, Ann (12 July 2021). "Permission for south Kerry greenway valid, High Court rules". IrishExaminer.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  5. ^ "High Court ruling brings South Kerry Greenway one step closer". Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  6. ^ Kelleher, Sinead (23 December 2021). "€2m for South Kerry Greenway as Supreme Court decision is awaited". The Kerryman. Independent.ie. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  7. ^ "South Kerry greenway to go ahead after Supreme Court decision". IrishTimes.com. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  8. ^ "South Kerry Greenway expected to be completed before end of 2025". RadioKerry.ie. 16 September 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Vast majority of South Kerry Greenway to be completed in early 2025". RadioKerry.ie. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Main contractor for South Kerry Greenway works expected to be appointed in mid 2024". RadioKerry.ie. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024. Kerry County Council says the Main Contractor will be appointed in mid-2024, with an estimated completion date for the South Kerry Greenway of mid-2026
  11. ^ "Public consultation to choose preferred route to extend Greenway". RadioKerry.ie. 10 October 2024.
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