County Cork's first greenway, running along the former railway line to Youghal, has opened fully to cyclists and walkers.
It follows the completion of the final 15 kilometre stretch of the route from Mogeely to Youghal.
Earlier this year, an 8km section from Midleton to Mogeely was opened to the public.
The much-anticipated 23km Midleton to Youghal greenway travels through the heart of east Cork linking up with Midleton Train Station for rail connections to the rest of the country.
Members of the public will be able to access the greenway through the trailheads at Midleton Station, Mogeely, Killeagh, and through the MacCurtainstown car park in Youghal.
There are high hopes that the greenway will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and tourism development in east Cork, with Mayor of County Cork Joe Carroll saying it will become a must-visit destination within Ireland's Ancient East.
There were plenty of early birds keen to be among the first to travel the route.
Among them, retired teachers Sheila and David O'Gorman from Midleton. Both took up cycling during Covid and have cycled widely in Europe.
They are delighted with the new route on their doorstep.
Sheila O'Gorman said: "This new route is brilliant, it is lovely and wide and if you are passing people there is plenty of space."
Her husband David said it is a great economic boost to East Cork.
"Cycleways abroad are very well laid out and safe, so hopefully the new greenway will be the same," Mr O'Gorman said.
The 23km project was financially supported by the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and with the collaboration of Iarnród Éireann to complete the project as well as local farmers and property owners adjoining the greenway.
There are currently six other greenways in the country: the Waterford Greenway, the Great Western Greenway in Co Mayo, the Old Rail Trail in Co Westmeath, the Limerick Greenway, the Royal Canal Greenway from Dublin to Longford and the Suir Blueway in Co Tipperary.
Plans are in place for a number of others around the country, including in counties Kerry and Louth.
At the Killeagh trailhead, Jenny Fogarty has opened Connect Coffee for walkers and cyclists.
Currently studying for a Masters at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, the local woman said she is excited about her new business and the greenway.
"When we knew that the greenway was going to open, we saw an opportunity and went for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Ms Fogarty said people are delighted with it on their doorsteps.
The 23km greenway runs along a former railway line between Midleton and Youghal.
For the town of Youghal, it holds out the possibility of returning and expanding on the tourism numbers the seaside town saw in the 1950s and 1960s.
With the growth of commuter communities along the N25, Cork County Council's Chief Executive Moire Murrell says the project aims to meet their needs in terms "of active travel, recreation, well-being, and connection to nature".
The county's first greenway will be officially opened early in 2025.
Married couple Fiona O'Driscoll and Deirdre Roberts opened a bicycle business in 2020 in anticipation of the new cycle route.
For them, today is a very special day, with a bike hire business in both Youghal and Midleton - at both ends of the route.
They are very optimistic about the future.
Deirdre Roberts said: "We did a lot of research into the other greenways like Waterford Greenway and what it has done for Dungarvan. We went to Westport to see what happened there, and we have tried to get ahead of the game and be in first and hopefully, it is going to bring everything we expect and that it will be brilliant for the town of Youghal and Midleton and every town in between.
Her wife, Fiona O'Driscoll said it is exciting time.
"Its going to bring visitors to the area, locals to enjoy and tourists from across the county and internationally in the area.
"We're pedal ready."
