Funding to the tune of €8 million has been granted for the 24km Ferrybank (Waterford) to New Ross Greenway under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Plan.

Welcoming the news, Wexford’s Minister Michael D’Arcy said 10 greenways across the country have been allocated a total of €40 million. “Past experience shows that the counties through which our greenways pass benefit from visitors booking accommodation, eating out and visiting local attractions.

The Minister of State for Tourism, Brendan Griffin, said: “This announcement gives a clear statement of intent with regard to activity tourism. This investment will see Ireland with a network of around 500km of Greenways. This investment is part of Project Ireland 2040 which is the Government’s overarching strategy to make Ireland a better place for all its people.”

New Ross councillot and Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Michael Sheehan, described the announcement as “a game changer for New Ross and County Wexford.”

He continued; “It will open the Barrow and the area to up to 250,000 visitors annually. These projects transform the areas and with such amenities as we have, New Ross will be the beacon for greenway success. We’ve seen the transformative effect of greenways in reviving economies and renewing buildings with new business and enterprises.   New Ross will boom on the back of this project.
“With the funding, the officials can now proceed to construction and I’d expect the project to be completed and open for summer 2020. Congratulations and thanks to all the officials, particularly Directors of Services’, Eamonn Hore and Eddie Taffe, Manager Sinead Casey and all the partners including landowners for working with the Council to get it to this stage.”

HISTORY OF THE LINE; The 24km trail will follow the path of the old railway line that followed the Barrow Valley on the western side of the River Barrow. Opened in 1904 and closed sixty years later the line passed over the river north of New Ross on the 590 ft long five-span girder opening bridge before passing through the Mountelliott tunnel.