Cork County Council has announced that the second and final phase of the Midleton Youghal Greenway will open to the public this week.
The new section which extends from Mogeely through Killeagh to Youghal will be open from 12:00p.m on Thursday (December 19).
The council said that the 23km off-road walking and cycling route travels through the heart of east Cork.
The greenway links up with Midleton Station allowing for direct onward connection with Cork city and beyond.
Greenway
Members of the public will be able to access the route through the trailheads at Midleton Station, Mogeely, Killeagh and through the MacCurtainstown Car Park in Youghal.
The local authority said that trees and hedgerows have been retained along the route and a significant programme of native planting has enhanced biodiversity.
The former station areas have also been transformed to create places for both the local community and visitors to enjoy.
Cork County Council said that there was “extensive consultation and engagement” by both farmers and property owners adjoining the greenway.
The local authority said that it endeavoured to ensure that throughout the process, concerns were listened to and addressed where reasonably practicable.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Joe Carroll that the new greenway will become “a must-visit destination within Ireland’s Ancient East”.
“It complements and enhances the existing tourism offering in the county, allowing visitors to explore east Cork in a safe, off-road and traffic free environment.
“We hope the greenway will also serve as a catalyst for economic growth and tourism development,” he said.
The Midleton Youghal Greenway will link up with existing and planned cycle infrastructure in the west towards Cork City and east towards Waterford.
“This project aims to meet the needs of local communities in terms of active travel, recreation, well-being and connection to nature,” Moira Murrell, chief executive of Cork County Council, said,
“This project is possible thanks to the support of the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), as well as collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
“We would also like to acknowledge the support and engagement from the farmers and property owners adjoining the greenway throughout,” she said.
The first phase, from Midleton to Mogeely, was officially opened in March of this year and the formal official opening of the full Midleton Youghal Greenway will take place in early 2025.