SOUTH Dublin County Council’s Dodder Greenway/Dublin Mountains Way project has been awarded
?¬750,000 in infrastructure funding as part of the Government’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland.Â
The Dodder Greenway/Dublin Mountains Way project is an ambitious collaboration between South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council, the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport to link and sustainably develop two of Dublin’s most exciting initiatives.
The funding will help South Dublin County Council further develop and provide the highest possible quality enjoyment of Dublin’s stunning landscapes and its key cultural, archaeological, geological and natural features to visitors.
The proposed Dodder Greenway is being developed to a world-class standard that will quickly become internationally renowned.
The Greenway route is approximately 14km in length and passes along the Dodder Valley from Orwell/Terenure, through the outer suburbs of Tallaght to rural and upland Dublin and the entrance to the Bohernabreena reservoirs at Glenasmole.
The Greenway links Grand Canal Dock with Ringsend, Ballsbridge, Clonskeagh, Rathfarnham, Templeogue, Firhouse and Tallaght.
The Dodder Greenway will ultimately link with the Dublin Mountains, providing access to the scenic walks direct from the city centre.
The Dublin Mountains Way is a long distance trail of approximately 40 kilometres, across the mountains from Shankill in the east to Tallaght (Sean Walsh Park) in the west.
This project is being achieved through the co-operation of Coillte, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and private landowners. Â
Making the announcement, Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, said:
“Recreational tourism is a growing sector in Ireland’s tourism offering
“We have seen an increase in the number of Irish and overseas visitors enjoying the many greenways, blueways and walking trails which have been developed around the country in recent years.
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Speaking on the awarding of the grant, South Dublin County Council Chief Executive, Daniel McLoughlin said:
“We welcome the funding from the Government which will be used to develop infrastructure that will enable visitors to access a range of recreational and leisure attractions and activities in the Dublin Mountains and surrounding area.
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The proposed Dodder Greenway is being developed to be a Greenway of international renown and to be on a par with the best greenways in the world.
Although developed as a combination of off-road and on-road it utilises existing facilities within the Dodder Valley as much as possible to connect the linear parkland along the route.
It will also benefit the popular Bushy Dublin parkrun that takes in part of the River Dodder.
The 5km course that begins at Bushy Park is run on a mixture of concrete paths, bitmac paths and hardcore paths.
The main elements of the proposed Greenway are as follows: Â The Greenway route is approximately 14km in length and passes along the Dodder Valley from Orwell/ Terenure through the outer suburbs of Tallaght to rural and upland Dublin to the entrance to the Bohernabreena reservoirs at Glenasmole.
It will provide for improved connectivity to communities, facilities and local business along the Dodder Valley corridor with a dedicated signage strategy.
Works will include widening and upgrade to existing paths, construction of new paths, the construction of a number of new bridges, upgrade of existing bridges and underpasses and junction upgrades, etc.
There will be an upgrade and creation of new entrances to the Greenway while improved landscape treatment will provide a coherent and legible route along the proposed Greenway.
Ecological enhancements including species rich grassland management, the planting of native trees and the provision of bat boxes are also part of the plan.
One of the flagship projects of the Dublin Mountains Partnership is the establishment of the Dublin Mountains Way (DMW).
The DMW has been an objective of the local authorities for close to 20 years and, with the formation of the partnership, it has finally been realised.
This project has been achieved through the cooperation of Coillte, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and private landowners.