The railway line between Collooney, Co. Sligo, and Athenry, Co. Galway has been closed for more than forty years and has remained largely unused during that time.

There are now welcome and positive plans to reopen the section from Athenry to Claremorris, reconnecting communities across Galway and Mayo. It has also been agreed that the section from Collooney to Charlestown can be developed as a greenway until rail services become viable as a stand alone project.

With discussions now progressing on the railway's future, we are calling on Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien to support a practical dual-purpose solution: the development of both a railway and a greenway along the same corridor wherever feasible.

More than 26,000 people have already signed a petition supporting a greenway on the route. This demonstrates strong public demand for improved outdoor recreation, tourism, and sustainable travel infrastructure.

A railway and greenway delivered together would provide the best outcome for communities along the Western Corridor, ensuring that active travel and rail transport can complement rather than compete with each other.

A Win-Win Solution

• Athenry to Claremorris: Railway and Greenway from Day One.
• This approach would:
• Restore vital rail connectivity to towns and villages along the route.
• Deliver a safe, accessible greenway for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
• Boost tourism and local economies across Galway, Mayo, and Sligo.
• Support Ireland's climate and sustainable transport objectives.
• Protect the transport corridor for future generations while providing immediate community benefits.
• We urge the Government to embrace a railway-plus-greenway model and deliver a truly shared vision for the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris.