Iarnród Éireann has given the green light to a lease arrangement for the Sligo Greenway, almost two years after it said it could not support the project along a disused rail line.
Sligo County Council is seeking to develop a 35km trail on a section of the Western Rail Corridor, from Collooney to Bellaghy, an Iarnród Éireann-owned route that closed to passengers in 1963, and to freight in 1975.
The Sligo Greenway plan, first mooted in 2014, was in its third public consultation in December 2024 when Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) said it could not support the preferred route.
They reconfirmed that position last year and suggested an alternative route, alongside the railway alignment, which Sligo Co Co deemed technically feasible, but not viable.
A council review found that running a greenway running parallel to the railway would impact 250 private land parcels, with more than 70% of the route requiring acquisition.
People who remembered trains in south Sligo spoke of their disappointed, noting they didn’t expect trains to return to Tubbercurry in their lifetime.
Last December, Sligo Co Co shelved the project after spending approximately €1 million, but said it was willing to resume, if the decision was reversed.
Following lobbying and campaigning, there has been a U-turn.
The Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann have confirmed to RTÉ News that Iarnród Éireann has agreed to facilitate a lease arrangement for the Sligo Greenway.
What has Iarnród Éireann said?
Iarnród Éireann told RTÉ News that it has agreed to licence its lands, in the form of the disused railway alignment between Bellaghy and Collooney, to Sligo County Council to support the “development and deliverability of the greenway.”
They said the organisation recognised “the merits of the proposal in the absence of specific medium-term plans to reopen the railway”.
The national railway network operator said it will work with Sligo Co Co on the routing of the greenway to minimise the need for any land acquisition and costs to the Exchequer.
It also said that the agreement, would preserve “the possibility of the alignment being reopened for rail services at some point in the future.”
The National Development has allocated funding for the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris in the coming years.
Iarnród Éireann said a successful delivery of the Athenry to Claremorris project “may strengthen the business case for the reinstatement” of the western rail corridor to Sligo.
The rail operator said this would be in line with the rail operators’ ambitions, and the question will be considered “as part of periodic reviews and revisions” of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, published in 2024.
What has the Department of Transport said?
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said that the land will remain in the ownership of Iarnród Éireann and that it will be available to be returned, with a defined notice period or on the expiration of the lease in line with similar arrangements for other greenway routes.
The spokesperson said Minister of Transport Darragh O’Brien welcomes this development and “the pragmatic approach being taken” by all agencies.
They said it will ensure that state-owned lands are used to progress transport infrastructure projects while providing sustainable mobility options for local communities and visitors to the region.
It’s envisaged, if developed that the Sligo Greenway had the potential to link into the proposed Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties Railway Greenway at Collooney.
What has Sligo Co Co said?
Sligo County Council said it welcomes the recent announcements regarding the Sligo Greenway project, adding it remains committed to advancing its development.
A Council spokesperson said were are looking forward to working with Iarnród Éireann to confirm the licence agreement, which will enable the Greenway to be developed in line with the preferred option, on the disused railway line between Collooney and Bellaghy.
“On completion of the Options Selection Phase of the project, Sligo County Council intend to progress the Scheme through the design, environmental evaluation and Planning process, in collaboration with TII,” they said.
What’s the reaction in south Sligo?
Chairperson of the Sligo Greenway Co-operative Peadar Conway described it as “a common-sense decision.”
“It’s unfortunate that it has taken a year and a half, but we’re delighted and we would like to commend our local politicians for fighting for this decision,” he said.
Mr Conway said Iarnród Éireann has outlined plans for the Bellaghy to Collooney line for the next 25/30 years and that the greenway is “a no brainer” for the region.
“South Sligo, where I am, hasn’t always got its share of the pie,” he said.
“This is something that will unite the county and bring numerous health and economic benefits. Rather than watching idleness, why not have a greenway?
“This has been our argument for the last 10 years; we were never anti-train – we were anti-idleness and waste.
“This project will protect the line for the future and if a train is ever needed on this line; Iarnród Éireann have total control of this line, so it’s a win-win situation.
“It’s been a long campaign. We thought we’d end up with a greenway far quicker, but, nevertheless, this is positive news.
“I haven’t seen an unsuccessful greenway, and I would like Sligo to see a share of the action.”