Latest phase of the Royal Canal Greenway officially opens to the public
Dublin City Council (DCC) has today officially opened Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway, several months after its original completion date.
The latest 2.1km section of the greenway runs from Cross Guns Bridge in Phibsboro to Newcomen Bridge on North Strand Road, where it links with the Clontarf to City Centre route and earlier phases of the canal scheme.
The entire scheme now provides a continuous safe walking and cycling route through the north city from Phibsboro to the River Liffey.
DCC said the project had been a complex one, with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge installed near Lock 3 of the Royal Canal and “significant” public realm upgrades along the route, including a community plaza.
Construction for this phase began in February 2023 and had been expected to open in the second quarter of the year.
However, delays in material delivery and finishing works taking longer than anticipated pushed back the timeline.
Dublin’s Lord Mayor Ray McAdam said it was a “fantastic” scheme for the area, and provided a beautiful amenity in an important, historic part of the city.
“As a local, I will be an enthusiastic user of the scheme myself and look forward to experiencing the benefits of the safe, segregated walking and cycling infrastructure and much-enhanced public realm,” he said.
Finance Minister and local TD Paschal Donohoe said it was “gratifying to see the government’s vision of a greener, more connected Ireland come to life in such an important part of the city”.
“The long-term aim is that the Dublin parts of the greenway will link up to the 130km Royal Canal Greenway, which is Ireland’s longest greenway and runs from Maynooth to Cloondara,” he said.
“Once complete, there will be a world-class greenway running along the 200-year-old, 146-kilometre Royal Canal, connecting the River Liffey to the River Shannon.”
Its fourth and final phase will continue the greenway out to Ashtown, although no date has been set for the completion of this segment.
The latest phase of the greenway is part of the overall 314km Dublin City Active Travel Network, funded by the National Transport Authority.