Preferred route announced for Dundalk Carlingford Greenway

Louth County Council have announced the selection of the Preferred Route Corridor for the Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway.

Public Consultation No. 3 for the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor (EPRC) for the project commenced in November 2025, which included one to one in person meetings, telephone calls and town hall briefings.

The council have said a total of 534 submissions, along with a signed petition were received as part of the public consultation. Since then, the Option Selection Process for the scheme has been finalised.

The process considered submissions and feedback received during the consultation period assisting the Project Team in finalising the Preferred Route Corridor.

Planners say the project aims to restore and enhance connectivity between the communities on the Cooley Peninsula and Dundalk through the provision of a greenway, improving non-motorised connectivity and accessibility for these communities and, reducing the reliance on the private vehicle.

They also say the greenway will also provide a link to the blue flag beach at Templetown and will complement the existing network of trails on the Cooley Peninsula with a facility that is suitable for all users of all ability levels.

The Preferred Route Corridor provides a continuous route from the northern urban fringe of Dundalk to Carlingford passing through Bellurgan, Lordship, Rivertown, The Bush and Grange with connections to Greenore and Templetown via a combination of online (adjacent to the road) and offline providing a greenway with a total length of almost 30km.

The Preferred Route Corridor and Options Report, together with the Public Consultation No. 3 Feedback Report was published on the project website www.dundalkcarlingfordgreenway.ie, at 12noon on Thursday, 22 October 2026, where information on the Option Selection Process, Preferred Route Corridor, including an interactive map, is available to view.

Hardcopy versions of The Preferred Route Corridor and Options Report, together with the Public Consultation No. 3 Feedback Reports will also be available to view during regular opening hours at the following locations:

• County Hall - Millennium Centre, Marshes Lower, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 KFW6
• Dundalk Town Hall - Crowe St, Townparks, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 W20C
• Louth County Library - Roden Place, Dundalk, A91 RC44
• Carlingford Library -Teac Cuirte, Newry St, Liberties of Carlingford, Carlingford, Co. Louth, A91 N266

The next phase of TII’s planning and design process, Phase 3 - Design and Environmental Evaluation, has now commenced.

This phase involves developing the project design based on both technical and environmental inputs, to a stage where sufficient levels of detail exist to establish land take requirements, identify and mitigate project impacts, and progress the project through the statutory processes.

According to Louth County Council: “Throughout the Phase 3 process, the Project Team is committed to continuously engaging with people living, working or who own land and property within the Preferred Option corridor, however the design of the greenway and identification of the impacts on land and property will take some time to develop.

“In order to inform the design process, the Project Team will first undertake a range of engineering and environmental site surveys. The design team will be in contact with relevant landowners to arrange these surveys.

“As the site surveys are completed, the preliminary design and environmental evaluation of the greenway can be progressed. When the design has reached a level of maturity where informed discussions can take place, the Project Team will consult with directly impacted landowners in relation to the initial design and its impact on land and property.

“Thereafter, feedback will be considered, and amendments may be made, where feasible, before finalising the design.”