Two in a series of new greenways in Co Kerry have been officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton.
A 16km route for cyclists and walkers now runs inland between Listowel town centre to Abbeyfeale, while a dramatic 11km track from Tralee town runs along Tralee Bay to the port of Fenit.
Both follow the route of former railway lines.
The Tralee Greenway will provide locals with "a sustainable transport corridor" linking Tralee town centre and Tralee Train Station to Mounthawk at Bracker O'Regan Road, providing school goers and other commuters with sustainable travel options.
It will also give tourists and recreational cyclists a safe route to enjoy the views over Tralee Bay.
The Listowel Greenway will link to the Limerick Greenway which extends from Abbeyfeale for 50km into Co Limerick.
Around €10 million of public money has gone into the development of the two greenways, according to Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, who announced funding tranches for the projects in 2019.
In a joint statement, Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District, Councillor Aoife Thornton and the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, said: "This is a historic day for the county.
"The opening of new two greenway routes not only enhances the reputation of Kerry as a prime location for walking and cycling infrastructure, it also greatly enhances our tourism offering as well as the local economy.
"We can look forward in anticipation to the development of a new link between these two greenways as well as the development of the South Kerry Greenway and the linking of the various routes which will enable users to enjoy the county’s beautiful landscape."
After protracted planning and legal rows, the long anticipated 27 km South Kerry Greenway which will extend from Glenbeigh over Kells Bay to Cahersiveen is finally getting underway.
The project will be completed in phases and will involve huge technical and engineering challenges.
Mr Griffin said following tenders for specific engineering works he expected the South Kerry route would get underway late this year or early next.
Meanwhile links between the Listowel and Tralee greenways are at planning stage while the options to link Glenbeigh in South Kerry to that of North Kerry via Killorglin and Milltown are also at study stage.
Peter Walsh Chief Executive at Transport Infrastructure Ireland stated: "The Tralee to Fenit Greenway, the N70 Brackaharagh 'Active Travel’ project and the N69 Listowel to Abbeyfeale Greenway all deliver sustainable active travel transport options for residents and visitors alike, whilst providing a safer environment for all road users."
Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell thanked local landowners and local communities for their cooperation and support.
