Ambitious plan to develop greenway from Navan to Kells and eventually to Oldcastle

Route would follow the old railway line from Navan to Kells and on to Oldcastle incorporating a woodland walk at Liscarton

A CAMPAIGN to develop a greenway from Navan to Kells and eventually to Oldcastle has been launched by public representatives.

The greenway would follow the route of the old railway line from Navan to Kells and Oldcastle and would incorporate a woodland walk in the new woodland being planted at Liscarton.

“This is something we need to progress over the next few years,” said the Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy.

“Such a greenway would take in the beauty and the history of Ireland, by creating a walking/cycle trail between neolithic Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth in the Boyne Valley to the megalithic Cairns of Loughcrew.”

Cllr Fennessy raised the issue at the March meeting of Navan Municipal Council and is being joined in his campaign by Cllr Peter Caffrey of Oldcastle and Deputies Johnny Guirke and Darren O'Rourke.

The Navan Cycling Initiative are also rowing in behind the campaign.

Cllr Fennessy called on Meath County Council at the recent meeting to carry out a feasibility study of the disused rail line behind the proposed woodlands site at Liscarton “with a view to developing it as a walking trail that can be integrated into the woodlands site as it grows over the coming years.”

He was told both the NTA’s Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan 2023 and the Department of Transport’s National Cycle Network Plan Report 2023 indicate proposals for cycle routes between Navan and Kells. The NTA Cycle Network Plan shows a line of a greenway following the old GNRI Navan – Oldcastle rail line as it heads north-west from Navan. Council officials pointed out that while there is no fixed date to deliver this greenway, it could serve as an access to the new Woodlands at Liscarton if the site is designated a public amenity at some point in the future.

Cllr Fennessy said his motion sought to integrate the stretch of the disused Navan to Oldcastle rail line with the council's Woodlands site at Liscarton to create a local walking trail.

“However, the development of a greenway between Navan and Kells is a much bigger project and definitely something we need to progress over the coming years.

“Greenways provide improvements in health, recreation, tourism, economic development and sustainable transport to communities along its path. Such a route between Navan and Kells would be hugely beneficial to both towns.

“However, if it was possible to do so, I believe we should be more ambitious and extend the greenway further afield to Oldcastle.

“It would put Meath on the greenway tourism map and open the county up to unprecedented levels of global tourism.”

Ed Moynihan, chairman of the Navan Cycling Initiative said it was a fantastic proposal to link the greenway with the new woodland.

“The greenway has been in the Greater Dublin Area cycle plan since 2013 and it would be a great asset to Navan if it was progressed.

“It would revitalise Kells and connect it to the larger greenway network of the Boyne Valley and Lakelands.

“It would be a win win for everyone if it were to happen,” he said.

Deputy Johnny Guirke said it would be great to see a greenway to the north of the county.

“It could link in with the old walkway to Loughcrew. It would be a massive boost for tourism in the area and we have a lot of attractions including Lough Crew and Fore.

Cllr Peter Caffrey said it would be a huge boost to Navan, Kells and Oldcastle and now was the time to start looking for grants to make it happen.

Earlier this year Meath County Council commenced planting on its new 'Woodland Creation on Public Lands' project at Liscarton which is adjacent to the old railway line.

It includes the establishment of a new native woodland on a 19.5 acres site.

Oak, beech, hazel, and alder trees have been planted in the area, which will recreate lost native woodland habitats, rich in biodiversity and cultural significance.

The woodland will provide a home to specialised woodland animals, birds, insects, and plants, including red squirrel, pine marten, great spotted woodpecker, narrow-leaved helleborine and wood millet.

As well as on-site biodiversity, it will provide many ecosystem services, including carbon capture, the protection and enhancement of water quality, wider habitat linkage, landscape enhancement, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, which itself promotes contact with the natural world, physical and mental well-being, and outdoor learning.

The railway line to Navan opened in 1850, was extended to Kells in 1853 and would finally reach Oldcastle on 17th March 1863.

In April 1958, the Oldcastle railway lost its passenger service and in April 1963 the line from Navan to Oldcastle was closed. Some of the track to Kells was re-laid in 1977 for zinc and lead traffic from Tara Mines.