Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed confirmation that four cross-border greenway projects will receive funding from the Irish Government’s €2 million Shared Island Greenways Development Fund. The funding, confirmed for 2026 and 2027, will support feasibility and design work on routes linking Sligo to Enniskillen, Derry to Buncrana, Warrenpoint to Newcastle, and Lifford to Derry.
The announcement marks the latest phase of all-island cooperation on active travel infrastructure, building on completed projects such as the Carlingford Lough Greenway and the North West Greenway Network. The Department of Transport will administer the funding to the relevant local authorities on both sides of the border, with further support from the Department for Infrastructure subject to future budget approvals.
Funding Breakdown for Border Routes
The Shared Island Greenways Development Fund, established in November 2025, has now identified specific allocations for each of the four schemes:
- Sligo to Enniskillen: Approximately €350,000 (£302,125) to support project costs associated with closing out Phase 3 design and environmental evaluation for this cross-border route.
- Derry to Buncrana: €260,000 (£224,463) to complete Phase 3 design and environmental evaluation work on the County Donegal section, plus advance the County Derry section to enabling works stage.
- Lifford to Derry: €137,500 (£118,706) to support completion of Phase 3 design and environmental evaluation work on the County Donegal section.
- Warrenpoint to Newcastle (via Kilkeel): £40,000 total for preliminary design development, comprising €25,000 (£21,581) from the Department of Transport and £20,000 (€23,200) from the Department for Infrastructure.
These routes will complement existing infrastructure, with the Derry to Buncrana and Lifford to Derry schemes linking into the established North West Greenway Network. The Warrenpoint to Newcastle route aims to extend the network from the completed Carlingford Lough Greenway into County Down.
Minister Welcomes Collaborative Investment
Minister Kimmins emphasised the strategic importance of expanding the all-island greenway network. She said:
“Through collaborative working with our counterparts in the Government of Ireland, I’m delighted that funding has been identified to explore further expansion our cross-border greenway network and to build on the success achieved to date.
“Cross-border greenways provide a transformative opportunity to enhance sustainable transport, tourism and all-island connectivity. This funding demonstrates commitment to further develop sustainable transport on a cross-border basis. This all enhances the island of Ireland as a place where people want to live and work, to visit, and to invest.
“My officials have been working closely with colleagues in both the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to identify and develop a coherent network of cross border greenways. This vision has been supported by the findings of a recent cross-border greenway feasibility study, including the identification of potential linkages to existing active travel networks in both jurisdictions.
“Funding of £40,000 has already been allocated to Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) to support a technical feasibility study of the proposed Warrenpoint to Newcastle (via Kilkeel) greenway, including a £20,000 allocation from my Department. This scheme will seek to build upon the success of the Carlingford Lough Greenway to extend the network and help showcase the beautiful landscapes of County Down and this border region.”
Design Phase Funding and Delivery Uncertainties
While the announcement secures immediate funding for design and feasibility work, several caveats remain regarding full capital delivery. The Department for Infrastructure has indicated that further funding for 2026 and 2027 will be subject to the public expenditure approval process and future budget availability. Additionally, the Department of Transport notes that funding may be subject to reallocation between schemes should unforeseen issues impact progress.
This reliance on design-phase funding highlights a broader pattern in cross-border infrastructure development. The Sligo to Enniskillen route, for instance, has previously missed out on Stormont Executive funding allocations, raising questions about the sequencing of financial commitments between the two jurisdictions. The current funding covers technical studies rather than construction, meaning communities may face extended waits before shovels reach the ground.
Broader Context and Outstanding Questions
The funding forms part of the expanded Shared Island Initiative, which now commands a €2 billion commitment through 2035 under the revised National Development Plan. This sits alongside the €360 million allocated to active travel and greenways across the Republic of Ireland in 2026, underscoring the scale of investment required to achieve an island-wide network.
Several questions remain as these projects advance:
- Given that the Sligo to Enniskillen route has previously missed out on Stormont funding, how will this Shared Island funding interact with future Northern Ireland Executive budget allocations to ensure construction proceeds?
- With feasibility studies typically taking several years, what mechanisms exist to accelerate these projects from design to delivery without the delays experienced by other cross-border schemes?
- How will officials address potential land acquisition challenges, particularly compulsory purchase orders, which have generated controversy in other greenway projects?
- The Warrenpoint to Newcastle route specifically mentions travelling “via Kilkeel” — what assessment has been made of the impact on existing road infrastructure and local traffic during the construction phase?
The announcement represents a tangible step toward the National Development Plan objective of creating an island-wide greenway network linking the Atlantic coast with the Eastern seaboard. While the immediate funding covers design work rather than construction, it maintains momentum following the completion of the Carlingford Lough Greenway in July 2025 and the established North West Greenway Network.
Stakeholders will now watch closely for the public expenditure approval process regarding additional Department for Infrastructure funding in 2026 and 2027, and whether local authorities can progress from technical studies to capital delivery within current funding envelopes. The success of these four projects may determine whether the Shared Island Greenways Development Fund expands beyond its initial €2 million allocation to support full construction costs.