The Carlingford Lough Greenway

Phase 1 of the Carlingford Lough Greenway from Dublin Road Bridge, Newry to the Weir on the Middlebank, a distance of 2.2km approximately, has been completed. Construction work on this project started in September 2016 and was completed by January 2017.

The Carlingford Lough Greenway will provide a world class cross-border green travel route running parallel to the A1/N1 Newry to Carlingford Road, which is narrow and unsuitable for cyclists.  The project extends for approximately 25km from Newry City through the villages of Omeath and Carlingford to Greenore, providing a much needed recreational facility for this area.  When completed, this Greenway will link with the existing Newry/Portadown Cycleway/Towpath resulting in a total length of 52km of Greenway along the east coast of Ireland enabling walkers and cyclists to travel off-road between Belfast and Dublin using Sustrans Route 9 (The Great Eastern Greenway).

Phase 1 of the project was funded by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council through the Landfill Communities Fund administered by Ulster Wildlife.

Louth County Council has already constructed 6.2km of Greenway from Omeath to Carlingford Marina and this has proved very popular with the public since it opened in 2014.  The two Councils, working in partnership have agreed to develop a Cross-border Greenway to extend the Newry section from the Weir on Middlebank to Victoria Lock and across the border, to link up with the existing Greenway in Omeath.  This scheme when completed shall be known as the Carlingford Lough Greenway.

Further funding has been secured from INTEREGG Va to deliver phase 2 of the project from the Weir to Omeath and from Carlingford Marina to Carlingford. This is a wonderful example of effective Cross Border cooperation to deliver a world class outdoor recreational facility for everyone to use and enjoy.

This is a wonderful example of effective Cross-Border cooperation to deliver a world class outdoor recreational facility for everyone to use and enjoy.

When the Greenway is completed it will be the only totally off-road pedestrian link between Newry and Carlingford,and as such, has the potential to be developed as a safe access for locals and visitors to use.  It will provide immediate benefits to people living adjacent to the greenway, improving the living environment and providing opportunities for leisure, exercise, recreation and supporting healthier lifestyles.

The section from the Weir to Victoria Lock is scheduled to be completed by December 2017.

This is an example of a project which is a key priority for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council as it helps to increase the number of people walking and cycling.

Contact Details

Countryside / Rights of Way Officers
Telephone: 0300 013 2233