A major new section of the Royal Canal Greenway has officially opened, creating a continuous 3.2km walking and cycling route through the north city from Phibsborough to the River Liffey.
Phase 3 of the project, delivered by Dublin City Council, stretches 2.1km from Newcomen Bridge in North Strand to Cross Guns Bridge in Phibsborough.
It includes a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, safe and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling facilities, a community plaza, upgraded public lighting and CCTV, and new ducting for future electricity upgrades in partnership with ESB Networks.
The scheme was developed in collaboration with Waterways Ireland, CIÉ and Irish Rail, and is part of Dublin City Council’s wider 314km Active Travel Network.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, welcomed the opening, saying the scheme was a “fantastic” new amenity for the north inner city and beyond.
“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 said.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who attended the launch, described the development as “a valuable public good.”
He added: “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.”
The Greenway is part of the National Cycle Network and connects to other active travel routes across the city, including the Clontarf to City Centre scheme.
“Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the project showed what was possible when best-in-class infrastructure was prioritised.
“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,” he noted.
The long-term aim is to link the Dublin sections of the Greenway to the 130km Maynooth to Cloondara route, launched in 2021 and already internationally recognised.
Once complete, the Royal Canal Greenway will run for 146km from the River Liffey to the River Shannon, making it a world-class active travel spine across the country.
Hugh Creegan, Interim Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority, said the Dublin section would give communities “better, more sustainable travel choices” while reducing private car trips.
Waterways Ireland also highlighted the scheme as part of its 10 Year Plan to reimagine how locals and visitors move through Dublin in a more climate-friendly way.
Phase 4 of the Dublin route, extending the Greenway to Ashtown, is the next step in the project.