The document proposes the development of the Wee Greenway, a 97km multi-use trail connecting communities in Derry and Inishowen in Ireland. It would help develop the tourism and recreation potential of the region by following the model of successful greenways elsewhere in Ireland. The greenway would connect major towns while promoting cycling and outdoor activities. Challenges include acquiring land, funding, and coordinating between local councils and stakeholders. The greenway could provide economic and health benefits to the region if these challenges are addressed.

1. The Wee Greenway
Helping Derry and Inishowen to develop its potential
© Ronan Gallagher & Blaise Harvey 2014

2. Contents
What is happening around Ireland?
Strategies north and south
Proposed route
The benefits
Our challenges
Who are Inishowen’s stakeholders?
Key points to take away today
Going forward

3. What is happening around Ireland?
 Athlone to Mullingar: 40km section of Dublin-Galway greenway (€40m)
 Kilmeaden to Bilberry: section of Dungarvan-Waterford greenway (€1.1m)
 Cahersiveen to Reenard Point: 5.75km section of greenway (€450,000)
 Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir: 5.75km upgrading river Suir towpath (€1.9m)
 Ennis to Ballymacquiggan: 5km of route linking Ennis to Lahinch (€400,000)
 Monasteries of the Moy: connecting Ballina to Killala (€250,000)
 Tralee to Fenit: phase one - 0.5km - beginning in Tralee (€345,000)
 Leixlip to Oughterard via Celbridge: 25kms ‘Arthur’s Way’ (€311,000)
 Patrickswell to Limerick city: 4.14kms (€420,000)
 Boyle to Lough Key: link to the forest park (€400,000)
 Coolnahay harbour to Ballynacarrigy: 14.4kms [part of Royal Canal towpath
(€900,000)]

4. Strategies north and south
 EU Horizon 2020’s Better Society: ‘smart, green & integrated transport’
 Health benefits, Leisure-cycle related infrastructure, Cycle events
 Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
 €200m national infrastructure package announced May 2014
 Smarter travel: a sustainable transport future 2009-2020
 Reduce car commuting from approx. 65% to 45%
 Promote walking, cycling and public transport as travel modes for work
 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of Ireland’s EU obligations
 National countryside recreation strategy
 ‘Development of infrastructure for countryside recreation’
 National cycle policy framework
 Government committed to develop cycling as a desirable mode of transport
 Good for health, the economy and the environment
 2020 vision: ‘Cities, towns, villages and rural areas will be bicycle friendly’
 Strategy for the development of Irish Cycle Tourism
 Sustrans UK in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland

5. Proposed route
 97kms with a
standard width
of 4 metres
(reduced to 3m
at pinchpoints)
 Derry centre, Collon, Bridgend, Inch, Fahan, Buncrana, Dumfries, Clonmany, Ballyliffin,
Carndonagh, Gleneely, Moville, Redcastle, Quigley’s Point, Muff and Culmore.

6. The benefits
 The Money
 Overseas activity tourism in Ireland €773 million (2012)
 Activity tourists spend 45% more than the ‘average’ foreign visitor
 Western Greenway: 180,000 users in 2012 spending €62.00pp per day
 Local business activity
 Mayo Greenway directly helped establish six new businesses
 Potential to resuscitate Dumfries, Gleneely, Moville, Muff
 Commuting
 For school, work and general leisure
 Can change social habits between all the connected urban/rural areas
 Tourism
 Potential to attract local, regional, national and international tourists
 Environmental and ecological
 Connecting scenic with historic; complementary planting/fauna to enhance
local areas
 International reputation
 The Wee Greenway has potential to be a route of international renown

7. The challenges
 Construction cost
 Commonage and land access (in light of new GLAS scheme)
 A2 Derry to Bridgend road enhancement scheme
 Timing
 Availability of local, national and international funding
 Competition from around the country
 Appointing a dedicated ‘greenway’ officer jointly funded by Donegal County
Council and Derry City Council
Draft costs – The Wee Greenway (based on 97-km route)
Planning / Resurfacing Works €45,000 per km per m width 17,460,000€
Landscaping Works €25,000 per km per m width 9,700,000€
Public Lighting (urban areas only?) €130,000 per km 2,600,000€
Ducts €55,000 per km 5,335,000€
Boardwalk €1,200 per sqm ?
Bridges €1,000 – €3,500 per sqm ?
Provisional cost 35,095,000€

8. The stakeholders
 The people who live and earn their livelihoods in Derry and Donegal
 Donegal County Council and Derry City Council
 Local landowners (including Swilly Group)
 Fáilte Ireland
 Government departments & sponsored organisations
 The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
 Department of Rural affairs
 Northern Ireland Tourism Board
 Department of Economic Development
 Department of the Environment
 Northern Ireland Roads Service
 Heritage Council
 Funding bodies, such as INTERREG, LEADER, PEACE and regional development funds
 Sustrans
 EU Greenway Association
 Adventure Travel Trade Association

9. Going forward
 Schedule a meeting with councillors in Derry, April 2015
 Incorporate ‘The Wee Greenway Initiative’ as a formal organisation
 Create a realistic timescale to bring project to fruition
 Schedule meetings with all stakeholders
 Secure landowner permission (to eliminate compulsory purchase orders)
 Secure funding for a feasibility study

10. Key points to take away today
 Derry and its hinterland has a population of 235,000 people (Mayo has
130,000)
 ‘Visit Derry’ shows a 14% growth in hotel room sales since 2012 - equating
to 7% year-on-year growth since 2009
 Average daily spend on Great Western Greenway: €62.00 per person
 2012: Great Western Greenway contributed €6.2m to local economy
 New businesses means more employment, greater cash flow in local
economy and additional income to Donegal County Council from rates
 Buncrana & Environments Development Plan, 2014-2020
 ‘Walking and cycling are the key components to movement and
accessibility in towns and rural area’ (page 34)
 Inishowen is an untapped destination for tourism in general and activity
tourism specifically
 Councils in Cork, Kerry, Mayo and Sligo each employ a dedicated officer
whose remit includes developing cycling and walking trails
© Ronan Gallagher & Blaise Harvey 2014

11. Thank you …

12. Contact details
 Ronan Gallagher
 Methodist Manse, Bath Terrace, Moville – ronangallagher@gmail.com; 93 8 5375
 Blaise Harvey
 Cycle Inishowen, Church Street, Carndonagh – superblaise@hotmail.com; 93 7 4856
 Find us at www.facebook.com/InishowenGreenway or Twitter @GreenwayPlease.