Last week’s Active Travel and Greenways Conference in Limerick brought together a broad range of stakeholders – Local Authority staff, Active Travel teams, the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Fáilte Ireland and more – to discuss Ireland’s evolving cycling and walking infrastructure. Irish Cycling Campaign was there, represented by the Chairperson of our Executive Committee, Dave Tobin.
The event, held in the Limerick Strand Hotel over 26-27 March 2025, underscored how collaboration between all of these groups is central to delivering high-quality networks that serve both communities and visitors.
A Platform for Shared Learning
With sessions covering funding, tourism, behavioural science and project delivery, the conference fostered critically engaged discussions on best practices and the challenges of implementation. Particularly valuable was the opportunity for professionals from different agencies to learn directly from one another – whether it was engineers discussing technical standards, planners exploring integration with public transport, or tourism experts considering how greenways can drive local economies.
Cyclists enjoying the view off Barnagh layby on the Limerick Greenway (photo courtesy of Great Southern Greenway Group)
The interactive site visits on Day 1 showcased Limerick’s commitment to Active Travel, with participants cycling through new infrastructure in the city and the Limerick Greenway. These first-hand experiences reinforced the importance of well-designed networks that cater to both daily commuters and leisure users.
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Limerick Leading the Way
A standout theme of the event was Limerick’s clear progress towards completing its cycling network. The work of Limerick City and County Council’s Active Travel Team, coupled with its strategic approach to designing greenways, has placed it at the forefront of Ireland’s cycling transformation. Limerick’s work demonstrates how persistent investment and integrated planning can deliver real, tangible benefits — something other counties around the country can look to for inspiration.
Letterkenny’s Strong Vision
Letterkenny in Donegal also emerged as a leader in the discussions, with its range of town cycling projects setting a strong example of how urban areas can be reimagined for sustainable transport. Donegal County Council’s presentation highlighted how a well-planned Active Travel network can not only improve mobility but also boost local business and the quality of life for its residents.
A Call for Continued Collaboration
The closing reflections of the two day conference emphasised that while individual projects are indeed advancing, greater inter-agency cooperation is needed to accelerate delivery nationwide. Events like this conference play a critical role in ensuring that knowledge-sharing and collaboration remain at the heart of Ireland’s Active Travel movement.
As Limerick continues to push forward, and other towns like Letterkenny lay the groundwork for transformational change, there is clear momentum behind building a truly connected, cycle-friendly Ireland. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum, ensuring that these conversations translate into action on the ground.