Mayo receives over €10 million in Active Travel and Greenway funding

MAYO has received over €10 million in funding for Active Travel and Greenway projects across the county including €1.9 million for a coastal Greenway project in Erris.

The Department of Transport announced Active Travel and Greenways funding for 2026 with Mayo County Council to receive a total of €10,785,000 for projects across the county.

The Blacksod Greenway Loop received the most funding of the Mayo projects with €1.9 million allocated which includes the construction of phase one from Binghamstown to Cross and phase two from Doohoma Head to St Pius X Church in Doohoma

The upgrade of part of the Great Western Greenway from Newport to Derrada which is part of the current realignment works of that part of the N59 received €1.4 million.

This funding was welcomed by Minister Dara Calleary following the announcement by the Department of Transport this morning.

“Mayo has been very strongly funded under this announcement by my colleague Minister Darragh O'Brien with €10.785 million allocated to the local authority for the development of Active Travel and Greenway projects. This is part of a €360 million investment nationally for walking and cycling projects that offer safe, sustainable and healthy transport options.

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“In Greenway funding I am particularly pleased that €1.9 million has been allocated for the construction of the Blacksod Loop in Erris while €1.4 million has been allocated to the Newport/Derrada Greenway.

“This funding, allowing for the expansion of the walking and cycling network through Greenway and active travel infrastructure, is crucial in offering safe travel options to cyclists and pedestrians and especially to our young people of school going age. A safe route will offer greater flexibility in how our young pupils travel to school and will encourage a more active, healthier population,” he said.

Funding was also approved for the upgrade of the Great Western Greenway through Newport with €600,000 allocated for the Newport section and €300,000 for the Westport section. The controversial extension of the Greenway from Belclare to Murrisk received €100,000 while €65,000 was allocated for the extension of the Achill Sound to Bunnacurry greenway on Achill Island.

It was also announced that €3 million in funding has been allocated for Active Travel projects around the county with the Ballinrobe orbital greenway receiving €239,000 and the Westport Deerpark project receiving €225,000.

Seven schools in Mayo received funding to allow for the construction of Safe Routes to School projects with Carn NS (€415,000), Scoil Íosa (€345,000), Cong NS (€320,000), Brackloon NS (€250,000), Davitt College (€20,000), Scoil Raifteirí (€20,000), St Colman’s College (€50,000) the schools to benefit.

Mayo TD and Minister of State, Alan Dillon also welcomed the funding allocated for the county.

“For many local families, schools and businesses, this year’s funding package means progress on long sought safety and connectivity projects. Parents in towns such as Ballina, Castlebar and Claremorris will see new crossings, lower speed zones and safer access routes to schools.

“Rural communities will see improved links to services, sports clubs and bus routes. And along the coast, the continued roll out of greenways will bring more visitors, more spending and more opportunities for local businesses.”

The scale of the investment, Minister Dillon said, matches the scale of Mayo’s ambition: “Mayo has shown time and again that when we receive funding, we deliver. This package ensures that 2026 will be a year of real, visible progress for communities right across the county.”