Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, has announced the development of a major new and world-class greenway as part of a national €11m funding for cycling infrastructure.

The centre-piece of the funding will go towards construction of one of the world's most dramatic scenic greenways – running along an old railway line, over viaducts through mountainous tunnels overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Ring of Kerry.

Minister Kelly has allocated €3.4m which will go towards construction of 26km of Greenway from Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen along the old Great Southern Railway making it an exceptional and unique visitor attraction.

Minister Kelly predicts this will bring cycling tourists and visitors from all over the world to the Ring of Kerry contributing in the region of 80 jobs between construction and increased visitor numbers.

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The Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen Greenway will open up the outstanding natural beauty of the coastline between these two towns offering an exceptional and unique visitor attraction in the South West.

"The natural beauty combined with the history of the old railway tunnels and the viaduct will make this one of the most beautiful cycling holiday destinations in the world.

"We estimate it will bring in the region of 30 jobs during construction and will contribute as much as 70 jobs to the local economy over time. It is hugely positive news and I’m delighted as Minister to be able to do this," stated Kelly.

"I see many families, guests, adventurers, casual cyclists and all manner of people making use of this greenway. It will be constructed over the next two years and follows our experience of the Great Western Greenway in Mayo.

"An economic assessment carried out on the Mayo project estimated that about 40 jobs were created, with another 50 retained in the local economy as a result of investing in the greenway. I expect similar progress to happen in Kerry."

The Ring of Kerry Greenway is one of three projects awarded funding under the Government's National Cycle Network programme. A further greenway will also be developed in County Waterford, running from Clonea along the coast to Durrow.

The project is being funded as part of the Government's National Cycle Network.

(CD/JP)