The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has instructed the National Roads Authority to examine possible routes for a cross-country cycle path from Dublin to Galway, similar to the award-winning Great Western Greenway that runs from Achill to Westport.

Mr Varadkar cycled the greenway route when he was in Westport for the Fine Gael “think-in” earlier this week, while some of his colleagues climbed Croagh Patrick.

The Minister, who is also responsible for tourism and sport, said he wanted to secure funding for the Galway to Dublin project as  he predicted it  has the potential to bring in at least €15 million per annum. He said while a proposed route remained to be decided, the Royal Canal was an “obvious candidate” for the stretch outside Dublin from Mullingar to Maynooth.

The National Transport Authority is already funding detailed design work for a greenway / cycleway  sections along the Royal Canal in Dublin, while funding of €600,000 has been allocated to develop the Royal Canal path from Blanchardstown to Ashtown. The NTA and local authorities are considering how to extend this to Maynooth.

Mr Varadkar believes a national off-road cycle trail across the country would be a first for Ireland and would be a great tourism asset.

He has instructed the National Roads Authority and the National Transport Authority to start planning for the project.