No date for works on last section of popular East Cork greenway

There is still no date set for work to start on the last remaining section of the Midleton to Youghal greenway.

The final section to be completed is from the greenway car park on the eastern side of the town to the ‘trailhead’ close to Clancy’s bar.

At a meeting of the East Cork municipal district, Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy asked when the remaining section was expected to open and the reasons for the delay.

He pointed out that this project was approved by the council in January 2019, and the Midleton trailhead side of it was completed and officially opened in March 2024, but still no work has been started on the Youghal end.

“It had been originally signalled that the works would be completed by September 2026, then started by Q4 2026 but now, there is no clarity on the situation with still no work scheduled to start,” Mr Mulcahy said.

Municipal district officer Susan Hegarty said she didn’t have any information on it at present, but would endeavour to get the councillor an answer for next month’s municipal district council meeting. 

Mr Mulcahy expressed disappointment, saying there is a positive mood in the town with loads of other ongoing projects in Youghal, but this is the one project that is holding back the town.

“Youghal will have a new state-of-the-art primary care centre, a new ambulance training base, and an extension onto the town’s only secondary school. 

“But from a tourist point of view, we need to be doing better, especially around the trailhead infrastructure. 

“I’m urging that the (council) executive make this a priority,” Mr Mulcahy added.

Meanwhile, the county council, in conjunction with Failte Ireland, is hosting a second round of public consultation on the Youghal Visitor Orientation Strategy.