Green light for South Kerry Greenway to majorly boost tourism in the Kingdom – Griffin

The Supreme Court’s rejection of appeals against the South Kerry Greenway paves the way for its development which will form an integral part of the region’s tourism offering throughout the 21^st century, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Kerry County Council received planning permission for the 27km route from Glenbeigh to Caherciveen in November 2020, but the project had been delayed due to legal appeals which were rejected yesterday by the Supreme Court.

Deputy Brendan Griffin said, “This is massively positive news for Kerry people, businesses and communities. The greenway will be absolutely transformational, not only for the South Kerry region but for the county as a whole.

“I’ve been an advocate of the South Kerry Greenway project for decades, and I have raised the need for funding to accompany planning permission in the Dáil on multiple occasions, including numerous debates with Minister Eamon Ryan in the recent past focused on the provision of financial support.

“I was proud to have secured funding of €6.5m for the Tralee, Fenit, Listowel and Limerick Greenway in 2019 as Minister for Tourism, and it is due to open this year. The development of the South Kerry Greenway will now act as the catalyst for the completion of a network of integrated cycleways and greenways across the county.

“We have seen the success of greenway projects across Ireland, and the economic, social and tourism benefits they bring to local businesses, towns and villages. This project will breathe new life into communities along the route, and this is due, in large part, to the hard work, time and effort of many local people and groups.

“The greenway will directly benefit the communities of Glenbeigh, Kells and Caherciveen, with further significant economic spin-off benefits for the South Kerry and Mid-Kerry regions.

“With planning permission in place, I hope to see development beginning on the greenway as soon as possible. Funding is now vitally needed to allow the project to develop at speed and I will continue to advocate for financial support in order to see this project through to the very end.

“I am calling on every Minister around the Cabinet table to see this project as one of national importance and to prioritise the allocation of funding to allow for construction immediately,” concluded Deputy Griffin.