Over €11M Active Travel funding for Cavan Monaghan

Counties Cavan and Monaghan received over €11 million in funding for projects to enhance accessibility and safety at different locations around the two counties.

In Cavan over €3.7 million was allocated to eighteen projects through Active Travel Grants for 2026 and funding from National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, meanwhile in Monaghan over €7.3 million was shared among twenty-five projects.

In the Breffni county, the largest allocation of €585,000 will go towards providing walking and cycling infrastructure from Loreto School to Cavan town.

A sum of €375,000 was given to Kingscourt Town Urban Greenway/Permeability Link to create a connection from the old railway station in the town to join in with the Dun na Rí Recreational Trail.

Meanwhile, St Aidan's Comprehensive received €275,000 for a project which will entail creating a school safe zone.

In county Monaghan, two pedestrian bridge projects received a total of €1.3 million; €900,000 for the detailed design of pedestrian bridges at Ballyalbany to provide safe pedestrian connections and €600,000 for the construction of a pedestrian bridge at horseshoe bridge. 

Meanwhile, the Ulster Canal Greenway project also received funding of over €3.1 million.

Welcoming the funding, Deputy Brendan Smith said "a number of projects" throughout both counties will benefit including walking and cycling infrastructure in villages and towns with a "particular emphasis" on road safety.

Meanwhile he said routes to some schools will be "upgraded" and planning will "continue" on the proposed Belturbet to Leitrim border greenway.

"Safety and footpath improvements will be carried out in towns and villages including Cavan Town, Kingscourt, Cootehill, Swanlinbar and Bawnboy and a number of these projects will improve access to local schools."

Minister Niamh Smyth was "delighted" to see both local authorities receive the "substantial investment"

"The Market Junction in Bailieborough has also received funding as part of the larger plan to restructure this dangerous junction. Funding has also been allocated to extend the Cavan Urban Greenway Phase 1,” she praised.

“Meanwhile Mullahoran National School will receive €95,000 and Killygarry National School will receive €110,000 to enhance safety measures and reduce speed at both schools. They are among a number of local schools to receive money under today’s allocation," she said.

Senator Joe O'Reilly said the funding for greenways and more active travel options will help make Cavan a "healthier and more sustainable place to live". 

Check Wednesday's newpaper for full details.